AFTERLIFE- CHAPTER 11

11

Chapter 11

“What do you mean she works with you? Lisa...don’t tell me you are using AEG as your promoters... I mean, I’m sure you wanna tour and all, but babe, don’t go big like that. Do what you wanted...play the small venues like you said, do it that way...you don’t need people like that.”

He was so sincere it broke her heart. Michael had grabbed her hand, his eyes pleading with her. To stay away from the man who had cost him so much... All he wanted was to keep her safe. From the monster.

The man she had aligned herself with.  But only to protect Michael...only to be able to keep  him out of harm’s way. Basically for the same reason he so obviously didn’t want her near Phillips. So he would understand.  Surely, he’d see reason and wouldn’t blow up.

Lisa swallowed hard, searching for the right words.

“Like what, MJ? Men like me who do what? Who save men like you, men who can’t climb out of the deep, dark hole they dug?” Phillips little beady eyes sparkled with glee.  Somehow he reminded her of some nasty, diseased rat.

“Stop that- stop talking to him like that...”  Lisa turned toward the hateful man.

Maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe she could get him out of there. 

“Well- someone’s gotta keep him in line. Make sure he’s not wasting both our money. You see, Michael... Lisa here...she is now on board.  Guess you taught her well- she knows a good business deal when she sees one.”

Michael looked from Philipps to her, still not comprehending what was going on.  Oh God. He couldn’t find out now. Not like this...not when they just...

“Randy- you must be mistaken...she’s not working with you...she wouldn’t.” Michael turned toward her, his eyes huge... “You wouldn’t do that, right Lisa? Not without talking to me about it. Not behind my back...”

“Women, MJ... Maybe she finally wants to get what she always said she didn’t want...your money... Like I said, she knows a good deal, so she hopped on board. Came to me about it, too. We never even had to approach her.”

Michael turned his back to Phillips, blocking him out.  

“Lisa- tell me. Tell me you are not working with him? This is totally ridiculous...”

Lisa felt as if she had been kicked in the gut.  Oh blasted with a cannon.  The very thing she always accused him of- the fact he just could not trust her.  Now he did…wanted to.  Desperately.

“It’s not like that. Don’t listen to him. I got in with them to be able to...”

“Got in with them? So, it’s true?  You are working with Philipps?  With this man? The man who has tortured and humiliated me? Do you know what he has done to me? Do you have any idea?” The beautiful features of his face hardened. As did his eyes. His face was flushed now again. This time not from making love. This time from rising anger. 

Lisa reached out, her hand touching his cheek. “I do…That’s why. Michael- please listen. I was afraid they’re riding you too hard.  I wanted to...”

Disgust.  The expression on his face was pure disgust. Turning his head as if a spider was on him, he grabbed her wrist to remove her hand. “Control me.  You wanted to control me. Just like they do.  You wanted to control me and make some money of the circus freak while you were at it- isn’t that so, Lisa?” His words were like calculated lashed of a poison dipped whip.

“No, why would you think that?” 

“Why? For real?” he sneered, “Cause you’re a liar.  A liar who uses her body to get what she wants.  A nasty litte,,, And you want to control me and push me around. That’s all you ever wanted- and that’s all you ever did. Control me and use me... You... Is that why you’re fucking me? To keep me in line? Is that it?”

Oh God, this was so much worse than what she had imagined.  How could he think that? On the other hand, how could he not. She told him- sex. No strings attached. And she went behind his back. For his own good, but still.  She’d go apeshit if anyone did that to her.  But it nothing she had ever done was to gain control over him like that.  

“Michael- no, please listen to me...please...”  She felt tears snake a path down her cheeks.  He had to listen.  Her very life depended on it.

His eyes.  Oh God, they were killing her.  Dark and threatening. Hurt... Injured... Paranoid…Angry…

“Listen to you? For real? You betrayed me! You fucking stabbed me in the back.  Again! I should have known! That’s why you’re still with that clown...you used me. In every conceivable way.  And what’s real funny is that you’re kinda using him, too. You’re nothing but a dirty, backstabbing slut!”

His words were pure acid, thrown on her, dissolving all her granite barriers. Stripping her.  Then something else kicked in.  Anger.  This was not fucking fair! And to call her names now. Had he fucking lost his mind? She knew he’d be upset. But this? To curse at her in front of someone else?  

“How dare you say that? How dare you? I love you! All I’ve ever done was love you.  I was fucking afraid you would die! That you would be gone and I’d be alone! I can’t lose you... I can’t do that... I can’t go through that again. I had to keep you safe.”

Michael’s laughter was harsh and made her cringe.

“Safe? You trippin’? By lying to me? By fucking me while staying with your husband? While leading me on... Laughing... You’re laughing aren’t you? Behind my back, you’re cracking up what a fucking gullible fool I’ve been.  To trust you again. To let you back into my heart.  What a fucking joke!  But thanks, Lisa. Thanks for waking me up.  Oh Gosh, I see you so clearly now. You...you disgust me! You are nothing but a dirty little slut- I regret ever having met you. I regret ever loving you.  Or thinking I loved you...you’re nothing...I had it right to begin with...when you lied to me about wanting our child.  Why the fuck did I not listen to everyone who ever warned me about all your damn lies?”

“Michael...” Lisa was sobbing now.  The flame of his disgust had incinerated her quick anger to ashes.  She crumbed .  The hatred in his eyes and his voice was too much.  Too much to bear.  Burning her. Stabbing her with the red hot intensity of pure loathing.

She reached for him… A last ditch effort. 

He stepped away, avoiding her touch as if she was the most vile viper.

“Don’t you dare! Do not touch me! Don’t you ever touch me again. I was such a blind fool. What an idiot I was. You were so right- I never loved you.  I was blinded.  Hypnotized into believing in something that never was there.  How often did you tell me?  And you know, you were right on: You’re nothing but an insecure, ugly, corrupt little bitch. That’s all you ever were. You fucking disgust me... I don’t ever wanna to see you again... Ever... Stay the fuck away from me.”

Before she could stop him, he turned and ran from the room.  Despite the enormous hole where her heart used to be, despite the pain ripping her to shreds, she did what came natural: she attempted to to go after him...to make him see, to make him take back those horrible things he said. 

Why, Lisa? Aren’t you glad? Aren’t you happy he finally confirmed it all? You win. Your worst fears are reality.  He never loved you.  You’re not good enough. Never were- never will be.  Now you got it from his own lips. No more wondering… No more pretending.  He told you you were worthy and he was wrong- and now he knew it, too.

“Michael, stop! Don’t leave... Michael...”

Stepping out from the room, she noticed the hall was endless. Dark.  Unforgiving. There, up ahead was a form.  Just a spec of light, moving from her with lightening speed while her feet felt like cement.  Moving was becoming difficult. What the fuck? Looking down she saw she was engulfed in black, sticky tar. 

Tar?  What the hell? A small part of her mind wondered about the logic of it all, while the rest of her was too preoccupied with her anguish to ponder the strangeness of the scene.  Her mind was focused on one thing.  One person. Michael.

“Michael...come back... Michael.” Her voice was getting hoarse and her throat ached. 

One more step.  And no more.  Her foot was rooted in place.  Stuck. This time for good. Held immobile.  Alone. Cold. Petrified.  Fastened in place for eternity. Preserved in absolute misery.  Her tears came like streaming rain now. Acid rain, taking her breath.  Her chest was tight- breathing was almost impossible.  Gathering all her strength, she gave it one more shot.  Taking in that breath made her chest almost go up in flames.  Much like her feet, her breath was stuck. Inhaling and exhaling both torture.  

“Michael! Please....Don’t leave me.... I love you! Don't’ leave me again! Michael!!!!!!” Darkness closed in around her.  Sobbing, she sank to the ground.  Raw.  Suffocating.  Choking.

“Lisa- what the fuck is wrong?”

Lisa sat up with a start, coughing.  Almost blinding light assaulted her eyes.  The pressure and pain in her chest were as intense as...they had been.  In her dream. Oh God... Her breath came in hard gasps.  A dream?  A fucking nightmare! A knot inside started to loosen.  She wanted to cry.

“Lisa Marie? Are you alright? I heard you yelling and just knew we were either invaded by burglars or the house was burning down.” Lockwood, his hand on the light switch, moved toward the bed.

Panting, eyes wide, Lisa tried to orient herself.  She was in her bedroom.  Her bedroom at Graceland. 

“Lisa- will you talk to me? I guess you did take a nap- did you have a nightmare or something?”

A nap... Lockwood...Graceland...

That’s right, you little idiot.  Lockwood is your husband.  You are with him- at Graceland. For Thanksgiving. Oh, so much to be grateful for, right?

Jesus, Christ! A nightmare.  That’s all it was.  A fucking, stupid nightmare!   She almost laughed. It hadn’t been real.  Michael didn’t know.  He didn’t say those horrible words.  He didn’t leave her.  Well, not like that, anyway. He had left in a huff. But not that day. Not the day of nearly being caught in the act by Phillips. And then nearly having been found out by Michael. Great double escape. And while she didn’t give a flying fuck if Philipps had found them, obviously her mind was still traumatized by the mere possibility of Michael misinterpreting what she had done.

Contrary to the hell her brain had just produced, she had gotten away with it that day. She had been able to shut Phillips up and Michael, though obviously baffled and suspicious, had not questioned her story that Phillips had simply talked to her earlier when she arrived at the arena, annoying her with wanting AEG to promote her should she wish to go on tour. 

“How does he know about your new record? No offense, but it’s not like you’re ...well...you know... I mean, you are well known and all…but...” Michael blushed, trying to untangle himself from his blunder of basically calling her an amateur.  An unknown amateur.

“Thanks a lot, dude! Even if my music is shit- I do have a name, you know. And people like to profit off that. You said yourself he is a weasel who wants to have his sticky paws in all sorts of pies.”

“You know I know you got more than a name, Lise.  You got real talent. Even though you use it to take digs at me.  No- it’s fine. I know I deserved some of it.  But…You’re not thinking about working with him, right?” He turned from joking and having that twinkly in his eyes back to serious within seconds. 

“Are you kidding? After all the crap you told me, hell no.”

So, no. Michael had not found out. And the mountain of lies grew by another load of shit boulders. To make it worse, he was genuinely worried about her.  Yeah, she was a piece of shit.

About a week later, Michael took off to Las Vegas. Earlier than he had planned, and obviously miffed she held strong and refused to join him.  Somehow she wondered how she had accomplished that feat herself. Easy as ...surviving naked and without oxygen in outer space. But not going was so much less scary than what awaited her if she went.

The mere thought caused her to shudder.

Time with Michael. Alone... In a hotel suite. Well, with his kids around, but still. Yeah, not a tempting idea at all. Was light ever attractive to the moth? The whole proposition was also about as dangerous as the open flame to that flying insect. And frightening as shit. Up till now there was always a built in safety valve. All their little encounters always required her to snap out of it.  The reality of her family and of the complicated situation as a whole served as a perfect safety harness.  Oh, she got to dabble with flying this close to paradise. Close enough to taste it, smell it, feel it. It was like dipping her toe into the heavenly ocean of pure bliss, but being pulled back before encountering the threatening undertows.   At times painful as if retrieving her limbs from the snapping jaws of the sharks below- but always inevitably occurring: her return to her safe zone. What would happen if she jumped in full out?  Would she get sucked into something so big, so powerful, there was no possibly way she could resurface unchanged? And then, what? Once again the question who was going to save her posed itself…and she could not trust herself in that matter.  Not when Michael was her salvation and damnation all wrapped into one tempting package.

Plus, how in the world was she going to explain her little getaway to her husband? 

Hey, Lockwood- Imma gonna fly to Vegas for a little weekend with Michael. But don’t worry...it’s all perfectly innocent. Except not...

A small conundrum Michael afforded little sympathy when she tried to use logic.  Reality had always been his worst event. He had started at her, then taken in a deep breath, rolling his eyes.

“Well, you could take that opportunity to fill him in on a thing or two. I’m real tired of this, Lisa. Tell him. Tell him you’ve been with me. Tell him- and see if he still wants to close his eyes and live this fantasy of a marriage.”

“My marriage is no fantasy.” 

“Oh, really?  We made love how many times now? Does not usually happen in happy marriages. I mean, we did it all the time when we were married…to each other, I mean…Remember that? How we didn’t get to leave the room for days?” His little sexy smile somehow raised her core temperature. “But for real- no- if your marriage was all that you wouldn’t snuggle up to me like that.” 

“Cut it out. Like you didn’t jump into my bed while being shackled to your little incubator.”

“The difference being, I never looked at her as my wife. You, Lisa.  You were always that for me.  I told you a million times. I loved you. I wanted to be with you.  I wanted you. Always you. Never her.  She wasn’t my wife for real- and everyone involved knew the score.”

“But you played the game with her. Rolled her out for those lovely photo shoots. So very charming. The mere thought still makes me gag.”

“I had an image to uphold, you know that very well. I couldn’t risk her taking my children...”

“Oh, please. I don’t wanna hear it again. I’ve heard it one too many times.”

“Is that why you stay with Rapunzel?”

“Could you possibly refrain calling my husband odd names?”

He giggled, then turned serious a gain, “Fine- Michael. Is that why you stay with Michael?” 

“Stop that. I don’t call him that.”

“ Jeeze, ain’t you hard to please! No, you call him by his last name. But your marriage is not a fantasy. You call your better half by his last name and you make love to me.  All perfectly normal things. My ass! - Lisa: tell him. Set the poor man straight. Or I just might.”

“Oh really? In the middle of your precious shows? You’d risk that? For what?”

How crazy was it that with all her heart she suddenly hoped he’d say that he wanted her to be with him.  Lay out his crazy vision of a future together.  As he once had when she had fallen head over heels for him. When she had risked everything., had broken up her family.  But life, experiences, and bad choices had changed them both. Last time he had asked her, she had bailed. What if all this was some elaborate plan to pay her back.  He loved to strategize...

Once upon a time, his plans had been motivated by what he said was his love for her.  Now?  She couldn’t get a good read on him.  Which scared the shit out of her.

Michael had looked at her with a strange look. He took a while to speak again. 

“For what, indeed. You don’t think I’d risk it all for you, Lisa? You think I care what they say? What can be said that hasn’t been said already?  This is almost mundane.  It might actually be a great publicity move.  Or it’s the end- but maybe I really don’t give a flying fuck.”

She could tell he was frustrated....exasperated.  And God, how she saw the ghosts of her own feelings mirrored in his eyes. 

“I’m not asking you to risk it all. I’m not asking you for anything.  I asked one too many times. And you didn’t wanna come through.  You were way too attached to being unattached.  To having your sham of a marriage while fucking stupid available me whenever it pleased you.”  Stunned at the venom in her own words, she wondered if it would always come back to that: his lack of ability to commit to her. Followed by her fear to believe he needed her for more than five minutes. 

“And now the tables are turned, aren’t they Lisa Marie?” His words were a whisper- his head lowered- his eyes looking up at her. Bingo. Except her husband had a reasonable expectation for her to be faithful as they had been in a real marriage. Deb should have known better.  Lockwood was a different story.  As was she.  She had loved him...still cared for him.  But not like Michael.  Not like the man before her now, demanding to be in the top spot where he was used to being. Had a right to be.  Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to step up. Let go and tumble into the abyss- closing her eyes and praying that for once, he’d be there to catch her. But not now. Not by running away to Vegas of all places. She had to know what the deal was. What Michael really wanted. And for how long. No way was she about to rip her family apart again for something so vague and uncertain.

“Why do you always have to do that? Make it sound like I’m using you? That you’re the one being victimized and that you did every right. Sounds familiar to me.”

“Maybe familiar. But different.  I’m not stalling here. It’s you.  This time.  You’re doing what you always bitched to me about. That’s what it feels like on my end, anyway. What else is going on here if you don’t wanna move this along.  You want me to say I messed up before?  Well- listen up- I messed up with Deb. And I probably messed up by not marrying you again.  And so many other times. Too many.  But Lise...girl...I’ve done my penance, don’t you think  I’ve watched you get your strange version of revenge.  Vengeance with names and cocks: Luke, John, Nic, and now my name-sake.”

“Yes, Michael. Everything I do is about you.”

“Maybe not everything you do- but everyone you do...or did.”

“Why don’t you go fuck yourself- being an asshole won’t get you what you want.”

As usual their conversation took a detour into the shitter. Maybe for the best. Time to flush. I was simply not working- they were simply not working. Too much baggage. The pain and ugly words had served as a reminder that it was too painful and too complicated to go away with him.  Plus, she had already planned a family Thanksgiving at Graceland- and her mother would have her head on a platter if she messed with those plans. Might save a turkey, but wouldn’t pan out too greatly for herself. Bad plan all around.

So, here she was.  In her bedroom, having just arrived hours earlier and having felt a bit under the weather.  Worn out and tired. But not sick.  Not in the conventional way, anyway.  Not as in illness.  Familiar, and not knew.  It had happened before.  She had thought herself to be over it, but it was no good.  Once again having been so close to Michael had awoken all the old symptoms of her lethal addiction. It was ridiculous.  But she could not function away from him.  Was shaky and feverish.  Restless and fidgety.  Ridiculous. But true. 

Withdrawal.  Easy to spot.  Impossible to fight.

“Will you fill me in why you screamed for me as if someone was killing you, Lisa?” 

Lisa looked up at Lockwood.  Something in her face must have given her away before she could fully guard herself.

“Oh, excuse me! What a damn idiot I am at times. It wasn’t me you called for, was it, Lisa?” 

Crap!  He read her only too correctly.  And it was clear he knew.  The pain in his eyes was no fun to encounter.

“Lockwood...please...” Lisa lowered her head. It was unbearable to look into his eyes.

“Yes...that’s right.  That’s my name. Not Michael.  There is only one Michael for you, right Lisa? And it’s not me. Not the man you are married to. How pathetic and sad is it that I actually thought you needed me for once.”

Lisa swallowed to steady herself and reached for his arm. “Look...I had a stupid nightmare. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.  I’m tired and I don’t feel well. And I do need you- need you to take it easy on me here. Bad enough we got Mom who will fuss over our girls all week long.”  Maybe he’d fall for her forcedly light tone.

Lockwood pulled his arm from her grasp.  “You must really think I’m the greatest idiot on this planet.”

No such luck.  Guess he was finally done making things easy for her.  The writing had been on the wall- and his eyes and his voice now spelled it out for her.  No, he was not an idiot. That was her reserved title. 

“We’re both tired. Let’s not fight, please.  Have you heard from your father?”  It was a weak attempt to avoid any real questions that would demand real answers.  Could she blame him, though?  The word understanding and patient didn’t begin to describe him.  He certainly didn’t deserve what was happening to him. Talk about collateral damage! And it wasn’t right.  It had never been right.  Nothing about any of this was even in the vicinity of right.  

Nothing made sense.  At this moment, that included her decision to try to hold strong in her marriage.  Except, slipping and falling on Michael’s penis over and over was not exactly the definition of holding strong. Neither were her feelings.  And heaven knew she had tried to ignore them for the sake of sanity. As if anything connected to Michael could ever be ignored! Or would ever be sane.

To make matters worse, Lockwood’s father had taken ill.  What at first had seemed like a case of the flue had turned into pneumonia.  Last Lisa heard after getting to off the plane, the situation was starting to be pretty serious. 

“How nice of you to take some sort of interest in my life and my family.  It’s so very rare these days.”

“You’re not fair...”  As soon as she said it she felt like an imbecile. 

“Fair Lisa?  I am not fair? Really? Well, excuse me for getting a little bit less than fair.  I think I was plenty fair when I patiently stood by you as you recovered from the almost demise of your self-destructive ex-husband. The man you used to cry over, rant over, curse at.  The man you called the curse of your life.  I used to hold you, Lisa, when you cried, and didn’t eat, and almost destroyed yourself.  But it didn’t matter, did it? My support didn’t matter.  Danny warned me.  He said that you lose all common sense where he is concerned. That he is like a cancer.  But no- I really, truly believed you when you said you were over him.  That last time. That you were indifferent toward him now. That you loved me. That I gave you what you always wanted. That you were tired of his victim act and didn’t wanna be a loser like him. Weren’t those your words?”

Lisa could not look at him. He was right.  Everything he said was the truth.  She had chosen.  Michael had reached out to her, begged her basically.  All she had offered him was her pretend indifference. She had all but packed his suitcases for him and sent him into exile.  Had married Lockwood.  Finally had figured out what the hell had caused her problems with carrying a baby to term and had made her biggest dream come true.  Her babies. Lisa loved being a mother and it had killed her so many times to not be able to have more children earlier.  First with Michael, then... No- no use going down that road.  Nothing but pain and burning agony lining that path. 

It had all seemed like she finally had arrived. She felt love and security.  It was perfect.  The perfect mate.  Loving, calm, content... Until it was all blown sky high. Until the destination turned out to be just another dead end. 

Denial was too soft a term for it all.  She had not denied her love for Michael- she had willed it away.  The smoldering volcano was hidden under layer of layer of her petrified bullshit. 

Till Michael and his quest to outdo himself in dangerous stupidity had thrown his stick of dynamite and caused it all erupt in a cataclysmic display of destruction and rebirth.  It was no ones fault, really. Everything seemed to have been predestined. Events chained together like those strings of pearls Michael used to give her.  

“You did...You do...” She quickly corrected herself.

“Oh really? Then how come you’ve become this distant stranger. We share the twins. We share the house.  We share the music.  But there’s little else.  No closeness, no intimacy- emotional or anything else.  I sure as shit haven’t shared your bed since he almost died.  Curious, isn’t it?  A more suspicious man might think you’re cheating on me.”

All blood drained from Lisa’s face. Was this it?  Was he finally going to call a spade a spade?  She looked up and the pain in his eyes made her feel like shit again.  No less than shit...

“Is that what you’re accusing me of? That I’m fucking around?”

Yeah, Lisa. How outrageous! How in the world would he ever arrive at that conclusion?

“Fucking around would imply you’re throwing it out indiscriminately. I don’t think that at all. But I do wonder... Nothing indiscriminate about what you’re doing.  There’s only one man you go mental over.  And I tried to ignore it all. All those nights away.  All the sudden trips to London.  The little comments between you two.  The looks...”

“Oh please! That’s your evidence?  Looks?  And what is this anyway- am I on trial or something?  You got questions? Ask.  Or man up and tell me what you think.”

There. If he told her what he had to suspect maybe she didn’t have to break his heart by telling him.  

Or you could man up Lisa and stop the lies.  You are such a disgusting coward!

“Be a man?  Oh is that what you want?” He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him violently.  “To show you I’m a man?”

The sudden movement and his firm hold startled her.  Automatically, she reacted with her default emotion: anger.  Erasing any guilt.  Any contrite acceptance.

“You better let me the fuck go! I won’t stand for this! Won’t stand for you coming in here and make an ass of both of us. Talking about looks and stupid, coincidental shit. We have not had sex? And it’s cause I give Michael looks? How ‘bout it’s because I no longer wanna be fucked by you because of you. Is that possible?”

They glared at each other.  Blue eyes clashing. 

“Yeah- it’s possible. But it’s funny that it all started with him.  Suddenly, you wrote songs about dreams, and about being wrong, and about your addiction to him. Suddenly you were gone and unavailable.  Cold, absent. Except when he’s near.  Then there’s this odd energy around you.  And when he’s around...the way you look at him makes me sick.  And do you know, why, Lisa?

“Will you let me the hell go and get out of my bedroom if I pretend to care why?” she hissed at him, her voice dangerously calm and low.  If he kept it up she’d say something she’d regret.  If he thought the way she looked at Michael was a problem, he certainly had another thing coming.

“The way you look at him kills me because I know you never, ever looked at me the same way. Not when we dated, not when we made love, not when we got married.”

With that, Lockwood pushed her away from him and jumped off the bed as if she was toxic.  Which she was. 

Lisa sat there, stunned. 

He was right of course.  She knew it, even though she obviously didn’t see herself looking at Michael.  But she had seen pictures.  She had heard plenty of people commenting on it.  Most recently her mother and before that Riley and Janet. 

“Silence, Lisa? No more fake outrage? Anything you wanna say to me? Anything you wanna tell me?”

“No.  You seem to have it figured out all by yourself.”

Lockwood gave her a weak, sad smile.  “Is that an admission? A confession?”

“I don’t have nothing to confess. As you know those days are over. And I don’t need a cleanse, either. I’m free of that crap!” Lisa stubbornly set her chin.

“Fine. You have it your way. But don’t be surprised.”

What was he talking about?

“Surprised at what? Are you threatening me?”

“How would I threaten the almighty Lisa Marie Presley?  My loving wife?  What do I possibly have to threaten you with?  We are playing this game by your rules, right?”

“Lockwood- what the fuck are you talking about?”

Was he threatening her?  And what with... Her heart sank. Oh god...would he actually take the kids?  If he could prove she was an unfit mother...if he’d drag her and Michael through the mud...brought up the past...

Panic gripped her hard. Was that how Michael had felt when he feared Deb would double cross him and take her insane quest to keep him out on the kids?

“Nothing. You do what you gotta do.  I need to wake up and look out for myself a bit more.  Thanks for the wake-up call.”

The slammed door made her jump up and dash after him.

“Don’t you slam fucking doors in my house!” 

“Yes, your house. Your house, your money, your rules.  I know the drill.  Well- you enjoy, my dear.  I will let you enjoy your house. I will head out and see my father.  I’d take the kids- but I don’t want to upset them any more than their absent mother has already upset them the last months. But you better watch out.  Cause I do have rights.  And you’re making shitty choices.”

“What? You think you can take the girls from me? You and what army?”

“The army of judges that might have a problem with their mother cheating on their Dad.”

Her heart skipped and she felt as if all space around her constricted. 

Did you really think he would remain in blissful oblivion forever?  Time to wake up, Lisa.  Just tell him...

Yeah right. She’d tell him and he’d take her honest admission and use it to take her babies from her.  Sure, he had always been wonderful, but he was hurt. You poke the most peaceful creature long enough and it will lash out and hurt you where it counts.  And Lucky knew how much her children mean to her. 

“What Lisa?  Got nothing smart to say?”

Lisa swallowed hard.  She had to tread real lightly till she could get her brain to work again. 

“You’re paranoid...and you’re probably in a bad place ‘cause of your Dad being sick. But I advise you to stop this shit.  You better cut out threatening me...”  Her voice was thick and low.

He laughed- not in a pretty way.  “You think I’m in a bad place ‘cause of my Dad? How ‘bout you look in the mirror? That’s the reason right there. My wife- who hasn’t let me touch her since her sudden epiphany that she still loves her ex-husband.  Don’t even deny it.  Like an idiot I have to stand by and strum along to you singing how you wish he was with you...how you will always love him... What the fuck, Lisa?  How long did you think I’d play dumb...”

“You said you understood.... you know it was something I had to work through...”

Which was true. Till she had included having Michael work her through in the process.  

Lockwood rolled his eyes.  “I think I was more patient than any other person on this planet would ever have been. But I’ve had it. You take this time to think about what you want. I’m done with this shit.  I want our marriage. And I want the truth. And if you pick our marriage that means we’re gonna have have sex every now and then. You will stop drooling every time you see him. You will stop looking at him as if he hung the moon.  I really tried to have us all get along.- And don’t get me wrong- I like the man.  I admire him. I’m sorry for what he had to go through. But I will not share my wife with him anymore. No more sudden trips and little getaways from which you return with that far off look.  You’re either in or you’re out.”

He knew.  There was no doubt.  He had put it all together.  And really- it did not require a rocket scientist.  Maybe he’d be reasonable and accept that she never really had a choice at all.  If she told him that with all her rational brain she wanted this marriage and knew it would keep her grounded, maybe he would see that her love for Michael was something she could not fight.  It was there- it wasn’t always healthy or rational. But it was so strong - and when it lifted her up into the stratosphere she never wanted to come down.

I’ve never been that high as when we fell in love...

Lockwood knew the lyrics..

Yes, Lisa- that was masterful. Pour your heart out about your ex with hubby right there next to you.  Great plan.  Surely he didn’t mind. What the fuck was wrong with her?

“Are you giving me an ultimatum?” Her stubborn nature simply did not allow her to give in.

“No- I’m telling you how it’s gonna be. I’m done being the understanding dope.  I’m done being patient. And I’m done being a monk.”

What?  All this huffing and puffing was motivated by his blue balls?

“Great- why don’t you go and get yourself some some ass then. If that’s all this shit is about.”

He looked at her as if he had never seen her before.  His blue eyes turned to steel.

“Don’t mind if I do, Lisa.”

“I’m sorry- Lisa... Am I interrupting?”  Her mother picked that perfect moment to make an appearance. “I heard voices and wanted to make sure you’re both alright?”

“We’re peachy. And we’re done. Don’t worry, Priscilla.” With that, Lockwood turned and started for the stairs again.

“Michael- are you okay?- Lisa Marie, what did you do now? And this better have nothing to do with Jackson again. Go, stop him... Whatever it is, don’t let him leave angry.”

Lockwood stopped half way down the stairs. “To stop me, she would have to care. And beyond the kids, there’s very little your daughter cares about. And it sure as shit isn’t me anymore... Happy Thanksgiving.”

With that, he stormed downstairs and out the house. Lisa flinched when the door slammed shut. 

“Lisa- what is he talking about? Please tell me it’s not what I think it is...”

Fuck! The last thing she needed was another lecture from her mother. Not now. Not when she felt as if she had been hit by a truck.  Her feelings were rushing through her with such force and speed she could for the life of her not decipher them.  There was one strange stirring forcing to the surface...relief.  And some sort of strange euphoria.  

Michael..she wanted to talk to him. Needed to talk to him.  Needed to process things.  Needed to hear his voice to know what her heart was yelling at her was the truth.  

“Mom...Lockwood has to leave. His Dad has gotten worse.”

“Yeah, he told me before we heard you yell out.  But what was all this about?”

“Stuff...”

“No kidding... Lisa, listen to me. Do not throw this marriage away for some old dream that never has been anything but a nightmare.  You’ve been so happy.  Think of the girls.”

“I will always think of my children. You know that.  - Did you come up for a reason? Or were you just nosy?”

“You better check your attitude,Lisa.  I came cause I heard yelling... Oh- and because Mr Burnett has been calling for you several times now. It sounded urgent.”

“T-Bone?  Okay...let me call him back. If he’s been trying it must be urgent.”  It was a bit odd for her producer to call her as she had just talked to him the day before and things were on target for the album.  They had a meeting later this week- maybe something had come up.  Maybe work related stuff would help her to sort through that mess in her head.

“Lisa- Will you let me talk to you about all this later?”

“Mother- there’s nothing to talk about. Really.” Oh, she needed to talk, alright. But her mother was the last person on earth who would understand.

“Lisa...I..”

“Mom- I gotta make some  calls. Do you mind getting the girls ready for their snack? Riley can help you.  I’ll be right down.”

“Lisa Marie- I worry about you so much when you get like this...I love you.”  Her mother hugged her tightly as if she feared Lisa was about to take off.  

Once Lisa was alone, she dialed Michael’s private line again.  It went to voicemail after one ring.  Meaning, he declined the call. Damn him! She had tried several times since their last spat.  He was pouting, no doubt. Mad she had not given in.  He also had not replied to her texts beyond sending her a very formal one, letting her know he had arrived safely.  She had given him space, knowing he hated to be pressured.  But this was ridiculous.  He had not spoken to her in over a week now.  It was time for him to snap out of it.

Unless...

Fear gripped her.  

Unless it’s not at all about him pouting.  Maybe he’s not well.  

Lisa dialed another number.  And then one more.  None of it was particularly good news. Karen had not heard anything from Michael since they parted ways after landing and she flew to LA.  Janet stated she had not been in touch with Michael much other than him calling her, asking her to come out in case their parents would visit.  Lisa knew that trick. Michael needed a buffer. While he adored his mother, he had learned that often his siblings used Katherine to get him to agree to some projects they had envisioned.  Joe and Katherine together made Michael suspicious by default since they barely shared time together anymore.  

“How did he sound?”  

“Freaked out. Short of breath...you know...his normal paranoid song and dance.”

“Are you going, Jan?”

“I doubt it.  We got some plans to take out my man’s yacht and spend some alone time.”

Well, it was nice Janet could get alone time.  

“I worry ‘bout him, Jan. He’s been more edgy again.”

“Lisa, girl- from what he told me you can’t be too worried. Or you’d be there with him.”

“I’m married, Jan.... I can’t just drop everything at his every whim.”

“No- you wanna string him along and get me to baby-sit him to ease your guilty conscious. You know I love you, Lise, but I gotta keep it real. Maybe part of him being edgy is the stress y’alls friendship puts on him.”  

“Did he say that?” Did Jan have to use that obvious intonation on friendship?  

“Nope.  You know he ain’t always the sharing type. He prefers to suffer in silence and eat it in- till it all turns to anxiety and then he can medicate that.”

So, great.  Those calls were a great help. Now Lisa felt like shit.  

Her phone buzzed and she glanced over.  Not that it would be him. Given he was holing up...

Except, it was.

Joseph came to visit today.

Lisa’s stomach dropped. For Michael to reach out despite being mad, it had to be bad.

Not for one second did it occur to her to lay into him for not having been in touch.

Was your mom there as well?

Oh yeah

U ok?

.

.

.

.

-Michael?

-Lisa Marie?

-I asked if ur ok?

-Wonderful

if u wanted to bs me, why txt?

Good question

Ive been trying to reach you.

If u were here you wouldnt have to try and reach me. 

I had a shit day... don’t start

What happened?

Nothing

what was that bout no Bull?

I asked first

yea..well...Sorry I bothered u. C u round

What did that mean?  

-When are you heading back?

-Maybe never

-What does that mean

-How is Graceland?

Michael!!!!

U miss me, don’t u?

What happened with your parents?

How is your dear mother and wonderful husband?

I’m not answering...

Cool. Hey- Dunk just texted. You called her?

Dammit! 

Yeah.

Checking up on me?

Get a grip

funny how you dont wanna be with me but you cant stand to be out of the loop.

Funny how you messaged me and then never tell me what happened

I miss you Lisa. Its hard...

I really don’t know how to read THAT...

LOL- dirty!  But yea..THAT 2

Won’t u let me help?

-Oh- I let u help alright… ;) 

Michael- I mean by talking.

I asked u to help and you din’t wanna let your Mom and Lucky carve the turkey without you.

Can I call you... I gotta talk to you- but not by text

I’m too tired 2 talk, L. Another day.

There were a million possibilities why he didn’t want to talk on the phone. The one she feared the most was that he was messed up and on something and didn’t want her to hear that. Messaging was the perfect out for him that way.

I worry ‘bout you. 

Dont.  I can fly this plane.

What did he just say? Lisa stared at the letters...  

What?

Nothing.  Anyway. Happy Thanksgiving, Lisa. I love you. I want u to know that. Never forget, k?

Lisa’s grip on her hand made her fingers numb.  

I’m calling- that’s it. And u better answer.

Or?  I tell u what- we talk soon.  Catch u on the flip side, girl. <3 

Michael? What was that- don’t I ever forget you love me?

No answer.  Not then, and not the next couple of minutes she spent between trying to call him and staring at the phone, asking, pleading, finally cursing at him.  

God, no one, not one single person on this planet could freak her out like he could. Why did he have to play his damn games? He texted- but nothing was clear. If anything, she felt more confused and freaked out than before he chose to reach out and touch.  So many damn questions.  And how bizarre he had used a line from one of her songs.  

The phone rang and she jumped.  Michael?  Looking at the display, she realized it was her producer. Damn- she had forgotten about T-Bone.

“Hey! My Mom told me you called. Sorry, I got busy. What’s up?”

“Lisa- there have been some worrisome developments....”

+++++

Thirty minutes later, Lisa ran down the stairs.  Dashing into the living room like a mad woman, both her mother and Riley stared at her. 

“Where’s the fire?”

“I gotta get the girls ready. We are flying to Vegas.”

+++++

Twenty four hours later, Lisa was still seething.  How dared he! That little weasel! Part of her was furious at herself.  After she checked in and got the twin settled with the help of her nanny it occurred to her suddenly that she had played right into his hands. Here she was.  Where he had begged her to be.  Man! So damn stupid! But no way could he have known the jig is up. Thieving, boundary violating, sneaky…. AHHH! She wanted to scream.  So, fine- let him be smug for about five seconds that she had come after all. She’d wipe that grin off his face with her fist

No, she was not here because she played along meekly. She was here to rip him a new one.

Would that be before or after you make love to him, Lisa. Who are you kidding?

No, no way! There would be none of that!  None! 

Obviously. Not like hotel rooms ever featured big in our history.  And not like you’re so in love with him you can’t see straight...

Lisa stared at herself in the mirror.  No, she wasn’t! Okay- and even if she was, this little trip was not about love.  It was about...

What? Being worried for him?  Being furious at him for totally ignoring any limits she had set?  For making her fly into a blind rage that took her all the way from Memphis to Las Vegas?  Like she couldn’t have chewed him out per phone?  Well, except for the small fact he didn’t answer her calls or message her back. That calculating, dirty playing.... ahhhhh!

Her hands fisted. 

But he had another thing coming. If he thought he was the only one who could get information he was sadly mistaken. She was Lisa Marie Presley- and she had connections, too.  Which was why she knew which suite he occupied at the Wynn. How silly of him to forget that she and Steve Wynn were friends.  Or had he forgotten? Maybe that was part of his little playbook.  How exhausting to try and think like him.  This was deja vue... So fucking frustrating. Nothing with Michael was ever clear.  Did he not think she could get his information?  Or did he trust she would. Did he know exactly how she’d react once she found out? He was clearly insane.  And she had it with him. He drove her absolutely crazy. In more than one way.

Lisa looked up into her reflection.  Her eyes were bright, pupils dilated. Face flushed.

Oh shit. 

Just thinking of how he drove her crazy that way had her body come online. This was ridiculous.  

Focus, Lisa. You’re not here for a hot little fuck fest. 

But hey...while you’re here...

No! She was not that easy.  He had to learn he could not play her like that.

Well spoken by the woman who dropped everything, packed up her one year old babies, left her older children behind, and - despite the pleading of her irate mother- flew several states over on a Holiday.  

The only turkey she had waiting for her was the skinny little shit in the penthouse suite.  When she could be sitting around a table with the people who loved her and gave her nothing but pleasure. Great…here she did it again. Hurt her kids for him. 

Riley and Ben had offered to come with her, but Lisa asked if they minded to stay with her mother.  She felt guilty as fuck..but obviously not guilty enough to do the smart thing and stay. Was this just another one of her crazy ass efforts to unbreak her fragmented soul?  Would she add another self-inflicted wound? Well, fine- but she’d be sure to inflict some injuries on his ass as well.

Does that include scratches on his back, Lisa?

Fucking hell! She really needed to go on medication.

++++

Thirty minutes later, she wished she had been on some tranquilizers. But why spare Michael the full scope of her anger?  No- he was going to get all the colors and explosives of her fireworks. No filters tonight. She needed her armor of righteous indignation.  Because, heaven help her, if she let on how damn much she had missed him.  

It was after ten. Late enough to hopefully have his children in bed. They did not have to see the crazy lady going off on their dad. And early enough to have him still awake.  She hoped he was not drunk or medicated.  Well, if so, she’d kick his ass right back into sobriety.

Funny enough, his security was less than surprised to see her.  Hm- that was odd.  Was he on to her? No, there were a million other explanations. They certainly had gotten used to her sneaking into his house.  How fucking embarrassing! But also damn useful right now. 

Careful, Lisa.  Has it occurred to you that you are a willing little mouse traipsing right into the trap?  

The question was then, was Michael the cat, the cheese...or the person loading the spring that would chop her head off? 

“Is he in yet?”  Lisa went straight to the point after some pleasantries and wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving.

“No, Miss Presley. Well, he is technically in, but I think he is in the suite across the hall with the children.”

“Very good. I’ll wait. Could you open the door for me, please?”

“And you said he knew you’d be visiting?”

“He invited me, yes.”  Technically, she wasn’t lying at all.

“Let me call over real quick.”  Brother Amir as Michael called him, raised his phone.

Lisa touched his arm lightly. “Why don’t you hold off on that. I really would like to surprise him.”  She hoped her sweetest smile would carry her through.

“Ahh..yeah...you know how he is. He kinda only likes surprises he plans.”

“He didn’t tell you I’d get here today? You know how scatterbrained he is at times. I mean- he knew, obviously. How else do you think I found him? Not like he’s registered under his name. He just didn’t know when I’d be here- so it’s really just a tiny little surprise.  Do you really think he would be mad?”

It’s me. The one visiting him for our frequent chess games. 

Lisa looked up at him through her lashes, batting her eyes sweetly.

For a second she feared her charm was not enough.  Then, Michael Amir shrugged and opened the door for her.  Ha! Men were so easy. Scary, really. She had to talk to Michael about his team.  After she smacked him into next year.  Her ongoing violent urges should be disconcerting.  After she thoughts she had achieved some level on serenity. Yeah, right. 

Entering, Lisa looked around. She shook her head.  Man- how did he mess up his space like that?  Magazines and papers cluttered the small table.  There were cans of red bull.  Not the best sign.  She looked around... What was she looking for? Medications?  Not like he was going to let them lay around.  Really- she had to stop try to regulate his behavior. If he wanted to fuck up, so be it.

Bla, bla, bla.... 

Yeah..okay.  Fine.  She loved him like mad. And she’d move mountains to keep him from hurting himself.  Right now, he was hers to hurt. 

Lisa picked up a page with scribbling.  Her name was on it.  Hearts all around...and question marks.  Her chest squeezed tightly.  It hurt he doubted her.  And yet- what had she done to assure him?  Not much. If anything.  Great…how was it possible to be angry and still feel so guilty?  Habit, maybe.

Another paper had notes about something to do with Cirque Du Soleil. Hm..interesting.  She knew Michael adored them. Was he finally going to realize the project he had been dreaming of? Was that why he was in Vegas? 

Maybe she needed to stop snooping around.  Kinda hypocritical to accuse him of that while doing the same thing.  Placing the paper back onto the table, her eyes fell on a sketch: the back of a woman, sleeping...hair falling over her shoulder...a sheet barely covering her hips... Lisa noticed a familiar birth mark.  And the shape of her eyes in the corner, drawn independently.  She couldn’t help her smile.  He had drawn her again.  He used to do it quite a lot.  In different stages of dress, undress, or just her eyes. Or her mouth. Sleeping… Well- this one must have been from memory as they had not really spent any time actually sleeping together. Other than that night she had come over drunk, and woken up with his finger inside.  The day she had confessed how much she needed him.  The day she had decided that while she couldn’t stay away, she needed to form some sort of safety zone.  A zone she was well out of…

Suddenly it hit her. Oh shit.  She was actually here. 

Run, little mouse, run.

Suddenly she realized that no money in the world would make her leave right now. And anger was not the only motivation she felt.  

Putting down the drawing, Lisa spied the minibar.  Oh good. There was something to remedy those jittery nerves.  She poured herself some red wine.  Damn, did her hands have to shake this much?

“So...not only do you break and enter, you also steal my wine? Pray tell, sweet lady- how do you intend to pay for all this?”

Her heart jumped into her throat.  Sudden heat cursed through her.  And her free hand was needed to steady the glass.  So much for surprising him. Sneaky bastard!  

Keeping her back to him a moment longer to steady herself, Lisa mumbled, “Send me the bill,” then took a sip. A long sip.

“Dang.  Should you shoot wine?”

Well, how ‘bout that? She had emptied the glass. Time for a refill.  

She felt more than heard him walk closer to her.  The hair on her arms immediately reacted and stood at attention.  She smelled his cologne and tried to not inhale deeply, given him to satisfaction to know she resembled someone cut off from oxygen for too long.  And did he have to keep the suite this hot?  Funny, how it got hotter in the past ten seconds, too.

She took another sip.  This time for real.

“Guess you’re thirsty? Welcome to Vegas, Princess.”

His hands came to rest on her shoulders and she felt him lean in.  Her heart started to flip out seriously now, being tossed around in her chest like a lightening bug shook in a glass jar by a careless kid.  The kid in question took in a deep breath.

“Aren’t you gon’ talk, Lise?  Tell me why decided to come out after all?  ...Gosh, girl...I missed you...” his breath stirred her hair and tickled her.  Like the soft spring breeze after the long winter. Lisa closed her eyes. Felt her body sway into him. 

Great job being mad at him Lisa! He’ll learn his lesson by you falling down at his knees..

Well, she hadn’t fallen. Yet.  And his hands on her steadied her anyway.  She was more than aware of where he touched her. With his amazing, soothing, long, elegant fingers…

Come on, Lisa! Grow some balls. Escape his magic.  You can do it.

But did she really want to? That was the million dollar question.

Finally, every so slowly, Lisa took one more breath and turned.  He allowed the movement, but managed to return his hands back to her shoulders anyway. Wow- she obviously had great escape skills.

“Hey...”  Her thick voice drifted off.  Her throat was so dry.  Parched. 

Rhetorical skills obviously also had been lost in transit. 

Lisa lost her way in the haze of his eyes.  There had been a million words on her mind just ten minutes ago.  The hours on the plane had lend themselves to create a little speech about shit she wasn’t going to put up with. From anyone.  And certainly not from him.

Michael smiled. His eyebrow shot up.  His hand moved and he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.  When he accidentally- or purposefully- brushed against her jaw, she almost jumped from the electric impact. The buzzing in her belly grew stronger.  

He was so damn dangerous.  Her very own source of energy. She couldn’t live without him- and only he had the power to totally disarm her.

“Hey yourself.  You can’t begin to know what it means to see you here...I can’t believe you’re real. I dreamt of you, Lise....”

Oh, the times she had dreamt of him.  Only to wake.  Having to live a nightmare- longing to close her eyes again.

Ah, Lisa....Didn’t you have some sort of mission?  Remember what T-Bone told you?

She cleared her throat.  Squared her shoulders. “Michael…the reason...”

“Wait...gimme a minute...” His hands worked her shoulders.  “I gotta say hello first...” Little massaging movements, working closer to her neck.  Oh God, his fingers felt so damn good on her.  This was so not fair. But then again, what was in love and war?

When he pulled her closer, she was neither surprised nor resisting.  Hypnotized.  Yeah, that was the explanation for her current paralysis. Nothing to do with loving him to pieces.  Nothing with seeing his eyes- seeing that he looked tired.  Noticing that sexy stubble.  Becoming mesmerized by his lips.  Pleasure racing through her when his tongue darted out automatically to lick that luscious bottom lip.  They could talk later... Just a minute of two. What could it hurt? 

Yeah, Lisa...what can it hurt? Not like you are in a hotel with him- uninterrupted. Totally safe ground. You lunatic! 

When the impact came, Lisa was surprised at the gentle, sweet contact.  Just a little kiss.  There, nothing much. Tender.  Totally innocent. They pulled away and stared at each other.  

The blaze in his eyes was the perfect opposite to the little breeze just experienced. Then again, so was what was going on inside her own body.  A raging electric fire.  Just one little hint of oxygen and everything was going to…

Before she could finish the though their well conditioned nervous systems jumped into action. If her life depended on it, she would not be able to describe who reached out first.  Such was their madness, their shared lunacy. It didn’t matter who did what- they each were the perfect, unique ingredient to the recipe for absolute bliss- and absolute disaster.

The impact of the second kiss was enough to knock her across the room. Only, Michael, very helpfully, held her to him as if he wanted to restrain her.  While her own hands somehow were fisted into his shirt.  To push him away.  Only not. She never noticed his tongue invading and conquering her mouth. Probably, because she was high on his breath, his scent, his little sighs.  Or were they her own?  Colors rose behind her eyelids, then burst into little dots that in turn invaded her body, making her tingle and ache.  Making her hurt.

It happened every time. No one ever had, or ever could kiss her like Michael.  She never even had liked kissing all that much before she had met him. It was sloppy and disgusting.  Guys had shoved their tongues into her mouth and more than once had she told them to cut it out. Not Michael though.  His kiss was something else altogether. He seduced and tantalized, played and was dead serious at taking over her entire soul. His kiss was water to her starving flower- and she felt every single one of her wilted pedals unroll and  be reborn. 

Lisa felt her body hit a wall. When had he moved her?  And why had she followed? Or had she pulled him?  His kiss slowed and he now sucked on her bottom lip, biting it gently, sending a jolt all the way down to her pussy. 

“Michael….”

“Gosh….Lisa…Lise…” he placed kisses on her jaw line, kissing down her neck, causing her to shiver, “I missed you so damn much…you just don’t know…”

Oh, she knew.  Even if she could only go by how much she had missed him. Nothing mattered in this moment.  

“I thought….,” Breathing was difficult and Lisa was definitely dizzy and disoriented. “I thought you were mad at me…”

Yeah, never mind she was mad at him.  Or mad about him…or all of the above.

“Oh…I was mad. Mad missing you…” He kissed her once more, his tongue dancing against hers, “Mad going crazy not having you with me.”  Suddenly he pulled back. His eyes holding her in place with their urgent grape. “Lisa- don’t you leave me, baby girl…”

Her hand came to rest on his cheek.  And not in the slap she had imagined greeting him with.  It was a touch of concern, of comfort should he need it. Was it her imagination or had he lost weight since she last saw him?  For the first time, she scanned his eyes closer.  He looked tired.  Gaunt.  Had he not been sleeping again? What was keeping him awake? 

“You left…you took off- and you wouldn’t answer my calls. You drive me absolutely mad, you know that? When you cut me off like that. And you know it, don’t you?”  She couldn’t help but smile up at him. God- this staying upset thing was not working out right. Too bad her body didn’t really give a damn, given it was useless puddly.

“I drive you mad? Yeah? For real?”  Now, that boyish grin was back, softening his lines, he looked more alive.  His voice deeper, stroking her already purring insides. 

Lisa shifted and noticed her thong was seriously flooded… Good thing he’d never have to know. Surely, things wouldn’t go that far.  Part of her felt almost disappointed. She had such issues!

With last strength, she gave him what should come across as an annoyed look.  Must not have been too scary, however, as he laughed lowly.  And another bomb inside going off.

“Baby girl- stop frowning… Even though your frowns are such a damn turn on…and your lips…oh girl…” His hand grabbed her chin, his thumb tracing her bottom lip. Automatically, she bit it playfully.  And ended up sucking on it, looking up at him, loving his eyes turning ever darker. Keeping that scorching eye contact, he kept holding her chin, his heavenly mouth once again descending on her.

Now, Lisa! For real! If you wanna tell him what you think of his latest sneaky, intrusive, borderline illegal activities, you better do it now. Before you lost what’s left of your resolve. And no doubt your clothes. 

Lisa reached for his wrist.  She was not too sure if it was simply to be able to touch him, or to actually stop him.  Michael reacted by stepping closer into her, pressing his body against hers. Making sure she felt just how happy he was to see her.  

“No…stop…we gotta talk…” The words were right. The tone asked him to fuck her. Now.

“We are talking…” His grip tightened and he held her in place while he placed little kisses on her lips, the corners of her mouth, bit and sucked on her bottom lip, then urged her to open up for him.  

Wiggling against him, Lisa felt his huge hard on against her belly.  When she opened her mouth, it must have been to protest, right?  Not her fault he went in for the attack and she started seeing starts again.  Michael’s fee hand removed her fingers from his writs and he guided it between them.

Kissing a path to her ear he whispered, “Feel that?  Feel how I missed you?  What you do to me?”

Automatically, Lisa grabbed him, applying pressure.  His eyes closed and she saw him swallow hard.  She blinked.  They both started to work on his jeans.  Lisa felt as if she had been drugged. Any resistance she imagined to possess melted away. Nothing mattered. Nothing but that damn heat in this room.  Shaking, she was able to drag his zipper down while he opened the top button. Lisa traced the top of his briefs, looking up at him with a little smirk.

“This would be easier if you had your pi’s on…”

“Had I known you’re ‘bout to pop by I would be in pjs…or naked…”

Reaching in, Lisa pulled him free. Her throat immediately going dry at the sight of his swollen, pulsing rod. God- he was so ready for her.  Michael returned to guiding her hand as her fingers closed around the heated, smooth steel.  His breathing came ragged and hard as Lisa pumped him several times, almost cuming herself as the sight of their hands working him together.  

“Lisa…shit…oh baby….”

A drop of precut started to appear at the exposed tip and Lisa licked her lips, needing to taste him.  She was starving…going insane from the intense hunger for him.  

Looking up into his eyes, she started to go down onto her knees.

“No.”  He stopped her move.

“No?”

“Hold up.”  Stepping back, Michael took off his shirt and stepped out of his pants, kicking them off, sending them flying. His socks followed. 

“Move it, woman!”

Lisa had to laugh at his bossy tone.

“Move it?  What is it you want, dude??”

“I want you naked.  And not against the front door.  I don’t want anyone to misinterpret the sounds.  And think they need to come in… Cause…” He reached behind her and locked and bolted the door.  “ I don’t wanna be interrupted”

Lisa cocked her neck, starting to unbutton her blouse. Slowly.  His eyes lit up more. “Interrupted doing what?”

Michael stepped closer again and kissed her while his hands got busy opening her jeans. “Interrupt saying hello to my woman. Properly.”

“Your woman, hm…”  Another kiss. The fire stoked higher by his tongue, his lips, and his fingers against her skin, as he reached around her and both hands grabbed her ass, puling her into him.  Lisa pulled off her shirt and threw it toward where his pants had landed. 

“Damn right. God, your ass is right, Lise…” After a short massage, he worked on pulling her pants down- assisted by her wiggling them down.  

Her own hands caressed his shoulders and his arms, kissing his heated skin wherever she could find it. Michael pulled the material down, coming to kneel before her.  Of course, he did it slow, making sure his hands caressed her belly and legs.  His lips also participated and he placed little kisses on her quivering skin.

“Michael…” Lisa breathed her plea..

“Hm…” He looked up at her and nipped at the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh.

“Dammit….get them down…”  Lisa attempted to rush things along, but he only laughed and moved  her hands.  

Lisa held on to his shoulders when he finally removed her socks and shoes, then pulled the pants off. Michael being Michael, the torture was not done, and he looked up at her while his hands caressed and massaged her calfs. Given the position he was in, he was oh so close to her pulsing center.  And the glint in his eyes conveyed he was only too aware of that fact.

“I love your little thong, baby…” He placed a kiss right at the edge, his hands now on her knees, pressing against her thighs so she would widen her stance. Which she did only too happily. 

“Mike….” her voice was a hoarse moan now.  Thick with her need to be touched.  He was so damn close. His fingers at the very edge of her swollen folds.  She kew he had to feel how wet she was…had to smell her arousal.  His moth placed another kiss, then his teeth grabbed the waist band.

“Hm…Lise…” A long finger stoked the soaked material then encountered slick skin.  Undeterred, he followed the little string, making her tense up as her juices were spread.

“Gosh…you’re wet, girl.  Dripping out…we gotta get those off you before you get sick or something…”

Concurring, Lisa reached down and he he captured her hand. 

“No- your bra first…I wanna see you…”  

Shaking her hair, she reached behind to undo the clasp- then let the straps fall, holding the cups in place for a second.  Michael’ finger traced back around her thong, going deeper this time, pushing the cloth to the side and passing over her swollen clit, causing her to sharply draw in her breath. She threw the bra to the side, massaging her tits, watching him lick her lips as she played with the quickly constricting nipples.  

Michael’s hand gripped her thong and ripped it off. Another one? Really?  Too bad she didn’t care beyond feeling incredibly turned on.  

“Don’t worry- I buy you more. Unless I keep you my prisoner. Tied to the bed. Naked…Oh baby..nice and bare as always…” Michael kissed her mound, then rose.  Such a damn tease.  

“You’re overdressed, Jackson.” Lisa looked down at his brief- and his jutting bulge.  

Michael grinned. “My bad…” And finally got rid of the stupid material.  

God, he was huge- and perfect. Thick, strong, pulsing…the tip of his gorgeous cock exposed and wet.  Reaching for him, Lisa delighted in his moan as she pumped him several times, before reaching down with her other hand, finding his balls hard and high.     Michael repaid the caress by grabbing her ass, massaging and teasing, allowing his fingers to find her swollen, dripping flower from behind.

One more hot kiss and Michael surprised her by picking her up, striding over to the couch. Lisa had half expected to be treated to some more high post action, but he sat down on the couch with her, placing him astride him, bringing her sensitive parts in direct contact with his hard ridge.  He bucked up against her and she pushed down, her juices coating him, causing the most amazing friction.  

“Oh, yeah, that’s it, girl.  You rub that little cunt against me…get me all wet…and lubed up…So I can enter that tight pussy…make it fit…oh yeah…”  

Michael bucked up against her, causing his hard flesh to press into her clit. The most amazing sensation both in her coochie and her lower belly… Lisa’s body automatically responded with her own movement.  Another hot and hungry kiss.  Another hot trail kissed down her neck.  His hand palmed her tits again, squeezing and massaging.  Thumbs stroking her nipples.  Lisa watched him.  His eyes on her as he now tweaked the sensitive, hardened tips.  His eyes found her, and he grinned.  Then licked his lips.  

Lisa slid back and lifted up slightly, reaching down.  His eyes darkened.  He looked high…as high as she felt.  How did she ever think she didn't need this? Didn’t need him.  He was her air. Were she a fish he’d be her water.  Her guiding star in the darnkess. Sometimes leading her astray, but in the end always her ultimate goal. 

Michael bent down slightly, lapping her nipples- one after the other. His eyes still velcroed to her soul.  Her hand found his wet cock.  “Lise…fucking shit…put it in..” he breathed. His words strumming all the right chords.  

Lisa pushed him back into the couch, kissing his neck, tasting his sweat and arousal. Poison and nectar… 

“Put it in, hm?  Where..here..” Lowering her body while holding him, she allowed let the swollen head rest against her, then, with last little bit of willpower, she moved higher again.

“Or any other place you got in mind..” His free hand grabbed her ass.  Fingers dipping to her honey pot from behind. The spiral tightened. He knew exactly what his dirty talk did to her. Lisa whimpered, hoping he’d bury the long digits, but he just teased her softly, spreading her arousal between her cheeks. Dirty little tease.

Michael laughed lowly and used the fact that her boobs where right at his fact to his advantage. He bit down on her aching nipple, then drew it in. His hand still playing with her other beast.  Lisa moaned and grabbed him harder, using the tip of his dick to stroke her again.

“You like that, don’t you…you like it rough…”

Oh fuck, did she ever. What had she said? Porn-style.  But only with him.  With him she felt safe. Could surrender everything. Knew he could fall and he’d catch her. At least in this. At least when making love.

“Michael….” Her mind didn’t even know how or what she liked… She just needed him. Her muscles already tightened for him, got ready to be spread wide open. Ready to squeeze him.  She could almost feel him inside- and yet knew that reality would be so much better. Had she just asked him to be patient? Talk about falling on your own sword. She emitted a little whimper following his name.  He kissed her sweetly in response.

“It’s okay, baby… I’m with y’a… I missed you too much…”

Both his hands closed around her waist and held her steady. Lisa stroked his cock one more time, not willing to let go.  And yet she knew that in a second she’d hold him much more securely. 

Their eyes locked. The look in his …pure fire.  For a second Lisa held her breath. Knowing what was about to come. And still, when he brought her down while bearing up sharply she felt as if she dove into pure ice.  Or was it scalding heat? His pupils seemed to widen and Lisa thought she’d drown.  

“Holy fuck…Lise…you…” In fascination, she watched his adams apple as he swallowed hard. “Gosh….baby…”  Even after all this years, they both always were stunned by that first hit.  His hardness and length always taxing her body.  His thick cock gliding in as he gave her a second to adjust, then thrust once more, finally hitting end. 

Michael sat for a moment and let her adjust.  Not without effort, though.  His cheeks were flushed and she saw beads of sweat developing on forehead.  It was all too much.  His flesh inside, stretching her nearly to the point of pain, her heart pounding, his eyes, every nerve cell calling on her to move while she wanted nothing more than to freeze in time to preserve that one amazing moment of being one with him once more.  Fireflies turning into inferno breathing dragons inside.  If only she could exhale. The fear to breathe and wake up finding herself alone was too strong.  The desire to cry and laugh mingled inside and choked her.  She gasped, closing her eyes, focusing on her breath. Fearing to pass out. 

She felt his fingers on her cheek. “Girl…you okay? Cause I’m about to die if you don’t move…or lose it right here.”  He did give her a little rounded jab, the friction on both her clit and inside her walls electrifying her. The magic wand, waking her finally. Her eyes flew open and she started to move, started to breathe.  She saw his eyes held concern now, mixed with lust.  She grinned at him.  “Damn dude…you took my breath away…you’re so fucking huge.”  His features relaxed, he pulled her head to him, kissing her, his tongue greedily replicating the invasion down below. 

Her own pace quickened.  His hands resumed caressing her breasts while she rode him, then returned to her waist, guiding her movements, making sure he held her when he needed her still, moved her into him when he bore up with more force.  Lisa felt herself heat up even more.  She was metal, being heated and shaped by his force. Her walls grabbed and massaged him, protesting every time he left her hold.  Michael was skilled at moving his hips, at times making her fear he’s pull out all the way, then thrusting back in. Delivering the most amazing music inside her body.

“Dammit, you’re tight…shit…” His jaw clenched.  His hair started to turn to small curls on his temples.  He held her in place, not letting her lift, moving his hips below her while bearing up more. 

“Fucking hell…Mike….” The sweet taste of ecstasy appeared on her tongue.  Her mouth watered.  As did her eyes.  She closed time and focused on the crazy sensations inside, hoping to draw out the climax, making it that much more intense. And fearing it at the same time.  This was going to be all consuming…

She was so close. Already. 

“Lisa…look at me.” Her eyes focused again. On him. So gorgeous while holding back.  His porcelain skin flushed, translucent.  Eyes throwing oil onto her flames. 

“Touch yourself..” Michael took her hand, kissed it, then brought it between them, his fingers gently guiding her, while also stroking, applying double pressure. God, this wasn’t going to last.  Not like that.  

“I’m so close…oh yeah….right there…oh Michael…” He changed his angle and hit her g-spot, causing her to shiver.

“It’s fine..let yourself go…take that edge off…this ain’t over… Im gonna love you right..all” He bore into her with force while letting go of her hand, grabbing her ass, massaging her globes. “Night…” His fingers spread her and she felt him touching her pussy where they were joined, teasing her already overtaxed nerves. “Long..”

“Baby…oh shit…” She froze, wishing him to touch her the way she loved. Reading her thoughts, his fingers used her ample lubrication to now touch her other hole, applying gentle pressure just as she sank back onto him.

Lisa emitted a hoarse cry as she shattered into a million shards of glass, cutting her open, releasing her love for him like beautify butterflies. Blinded, she was barely aware of her frantic movements, grinding herself into him, convulsing, her pelvis rocking against him wildly as he gave he the right rhythm and the right force.  

“Stay with me. Don’t close your eyes…I wanna see you cuming…you’re so beautiful…”

“I love you….shit….I love you..” Her eyes flew up at him- fearing his reaction.  That was certainly one way to send a man running.  Having a hysterical woman confess her love post orgasm.  Except this was just any man. This was Michael.  Whose face relaxed under the most amazing smile. He grabbed her face and kissed her, his movements softening, allowing her to set the tempo as she came down from that incredible, sharp climax.

“I love you so much more…you got no idea…” 

“Damn….” Their foreheads against each other, Lisa gave that gorgeous man a weak smile.  Her breath came in frantic gasps still. Her body still rippled from small spasms. 

“Okay…let me show you just how much.” He started to move again, causing her to cry out.  She was quivering, feeling him slip from her swollen folds, stretching her, pulsing inside impatiently. Oh yeah.  She needed more. So much more.  Everything else, whatever reason she had to be mad at him, all serious discussions could wait.  She didn’t have to rush of. Nothing existed but her and him.

Distracted by a hot kiss, Lisa was surprised when Michael lifted her higher, causing his cock to slip from her, making her moan in protest as his broad head left her.  They both looked down, Lisa mesmerized by his glistening dick- wet from her juices, hard and proud.

“Don’t worry…But I need to fuck you hard, baby girl…if you think you can take it.”

“Oh…I can take it…bring it on, big boy..” Lisa replied hoarsely, enjoying his grin.

He kissed her and guided her onto the couch. “Turn over. Let me see that ass.”

Lisa got on her hands and knees on the couch, looking at him over her shoulder.  “Like that?”

Michael grinned, his hands on her back, massaging, then gliding lower and lower toward her ass as he got behind her- on knee on the couch.  

“Yeah…just like that…girl. Just looking at that is enough to make me cum all over you. You’re so wet…so swollen down there…so beautiful.” His hand found his wet cock and he started stroking himself, causing her to feel a flood of new juices coating her.

“Dammit. Michael…fuck me already…”

“Now, who’s impatient?” He smirked at her, surrendering his cock, grabbing her ass cheeks again. In reply, turned on by his rough and yet tender touch, she lowered herself down onto her elbows, pushing her ass back.  

“You want something?”  Michael laughed, his fingers now finding her opening, teasing her, rimming her. 

“Damn…you’re hot. Dripping down.”  Skilled fingers stroked her up and down her slit, then finally entered her with two strong long digits, pumping and probing her, first slow, then faster. 

Lisa whimpered, straining against him, needing to move. 

“Baby, you’re so swollen. Shit…” 

“Please…please….” Lisa bit her hand, starting to lose control once more as Michael touched her inner rough spot.  

“Girl.” Michael panted.  Withdrawing from her, he returned to massaging and spreading her ass, then tracing a tantalizing path from her painful swollen folds up to her small hole again, rimming her, teasing the sensitive area.  Once more, Lisa felt the familiar fluttering. 

“Babe…I’m close again…fuck me..give it to me…hard…please..”

“Since you’re begging so nicely..” Michael spread her, and she held her breath as he entered her with one hard stroke once more, causing her to scream. It was too much.  Her body was too sensitive from the first round.  Lisa started to cum around him before he pulled back again.  Enjoying his strong, full thrusts, Lisa once more came apart, moving back against him, holding and grinding…biting her arm to keep from providing too much of a porn worthy show for his security outside.  Surely they knew she was not carrying on like that cause she won a hand of cards. 

“That’s it…there you go….hell yeah…oh shit baby…”

Just when she thought she was coming down on the other side of the rainbow, he picked up the pace again. She was not sure if it was due to her climax or due to him swelling more, but she was sure he’d split her apart.  

“Girl..damn…I’m cumin…hard….”  

As was she. Again. Harder than the two previous ones, probably spurred on by hearing his sounds, feeling him expanding and pumping into her, his hot seed filling her.

For a brief second she feared her heart would stop, as she fought to breathe while being tied to the scalding tail of a comet, making her fly so high she knew she’d become one with the universe.  One with him.  Tied firmly together by a love so ancient and deep she had never been able to grasp it.  A love she was tired of fighting.  

“Damn…” Michael’s voice broke through her haze. 

“Damn is right…” her voice was hoarse and scarcely more than a whisper. 

Carefully, Michael withdrew, forcing little cries from her as her body protested the move.

“Girl- we made a mess…”

For the first time in what felt forever, Lisa felt cold.  Michael held his hand out and pulled her up.  Her legs were more than wobbly.  His arms closed around her and he pulled her into him, holding her, kissing her head. “Hi, baby-girl… I’m so happy you’re here.”

“I like the way you say hello.” Lisa breathed in his scent. Manly and heady.  Uniquely his.  Comforting and stirring.  

“I wish you would stop leaving. You’re staying, right?”

Staying…here? With him? Where else would she be?

I don’t know, Lisa….with your girls? Your family?

No, no, no. It was too soon for reality to set in. Not yet. Not while she was still in his arms. Naked. Vulnerable. 

“Did you bring the twins? Riley and Ben?”

Michael’s mention of her kids brought another piece of reality that pierced her armor. 

Yeah. Time to wake up, Miss Genius. Remember why you came here?  Remember that you’re pissed at him? Or did he fuck the rest of your brains out?

Lisa stiffened. She backed up slightly.  Michael felt the shift and tipped up her head. “Lise…” 

Lisa cleared her throat, her eyes not ready to meet his. “Hey…I gotta clean up a bit.” She felt something between her legs.  Great. Unprotected sex again. 

“Yeah, sure. But don’t shut down on me… Don’t you leave me.”

Something in his tone caused her to look up.  He had set his face but she thought to detect something like panic before he could hide it. “Well- I’m naked. Kinda hard to get out undetected. Even in Vegas.”

His relieved smile squeezed her heart. 

“Where are you staying…bring the kids here. I got the whole floor.”

“Ri and Ben are in Graceland still. Harper and Fin are asleep.”

“I see…”

“Imma use the batrhoom, kay? Then we gotta talk.” Lisa looked around for her something to cover herself. 

Startling her, Michael picked her up.

“Hey!”

He kissed her, using her surprise. “Hey, nothing. I told you. No shutting down. You’re here. I don’t know what changed your mind, but you’re here with me. Not him. That’s all I’m gon’ care about for now. And I ain’t lettin’ you get away again right now. Or ever.”

“You got it all figured out, hm?”

“No, but I got figured out that you love me.”  Kissing her again, he strode off to what no doubt was the bedroom of the suite. 

Lisa buried her head in his neck.  It was useless. Why bother denying it?  He was so right. Yes, she was pissed. And yes, they had to figure stuff out. But she knew she would not be able to return to her life as it had been.  That ship had sailed.  She felt stranded.  What if this was just his safety net again. If she was just his safety net again. What if she did it once more, ripped everyone apart only to cause more pain later. When he’d leave her. As he always did.  Blaming her for not having tried hard enough. When she had sacrificed  the most.  She really had to stop. The past only had power if one handed it over.  This was the present.  Ancient history could not hurt her. 

Michael put her down and kissed her once more.  “There- clean up. I’ll be right here. On my bed.”

Demonstratively, he sat down, looking up at her.

“You’re a mess, you know that?”  Lisa could not help but laugh. He was too much.

“So? You didn’t complain about that a minute ago.” His dirty smirk caused her to giggle before she blew him a kiss and finally made it into the bathroom, closing the door.

Turning, her reflection greeted her.  Oh, wonderful. She looked like a hot mess.  Lisa turned on the faucet. 

“What the fuck did I do?  Holy shit…”  

“Are you talking to yourself?” His voice intruded.

“No- I’m talking to the other woman you got stashed in here…”

“Shoot- did I forget her again…well, ask her to join us… I can handle the both of you.”

Lisa smiled. “You dirty old man..”

“Imma gon’ show you a dirty old man…get your sweet ass back, Presley!”

Lisa was about to reply when she heard a phone ring.  Nope- it wasn’t hers.  Almost expecting him to let it ring, she was surprised when he seemed to answer.  Or maybe the person gave up. No, she heard Michael’s voice. Soft. Almost whispering. 

Lisa continued washing up, trying her best not to listen. Not that she heard anything- but she could tell he sounded annoyed.  Short.  

Drying off, she opened the door slightly and quietly.  His back was toward the door.

“I told you they were busy today. Yes, I know what we agreed to.  No- your lawyer does not have to call me. And you also don’t have to call me- especially this time of the night.  I thought it best they have a break today. Yes, I know Paris said she had fun.  But they don’t know you….like that.”

Lisa saw him raking his hand through his hair. She noticed the hand holding his phone trembled. 

“Deb, dammit- I told you…”

“Deb?  What the fuck does that bitch want?” 

Michael whirled around, staring at Lisa.  She jumped.  Her own outburst a surprise to her.  The past was gone? What a joke.  That name came barreling like a rhinoceros out of the jungle of their past.  Stomping toward her.  Making her see red.  Bracing for impact as she knew she was once again about to be run over.  And for a second, all she could do was hold her breath and stare.  Paralyzed by old anger.  Only this time- this time she was not going to let that bitch trample all the saplings of hope she had just planted.  If she was back, it meant a fight. And Lisa was ready to take her on. Once and for all. 

(to be continued)

©2013 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.