To Have and To Hold Chapter 14

14

July 1997, London: Carlton Tower Hotel

“So, Lisa Marie. I think Michael mentioned that you live with the children’s father right now.”

Michael coughed, just about choked, and then glared at his mother, raising his eyebrows in an unspoken question.  Did she know how close she had come to killing him?   With the most innocent of expressions, mother simply smiled sweetly at him, then looked back at Lisa across the table from her, sitting next to his father.  For the umpteenth time today, he wondered why oh why it had seemed like a bright idea to have a family dinner.  Oh, that’s right- this was not his idea of evening entertainment.  His mother had ever so gently reminded him that it was not proper to spend the evening alone with Lisa, and that it would look better if they all met for dinner on the first night of her stay. Which really, sounded like a horrible idea to him. Especially as his plans how to spend time with Lisa did not necessarily fit into the ‘proper’ category. 

So, afflicted by the usual inability to directly contradict his mother, he had agreed.  Or not disagreed- which then somehow had been misconstrued as consent.  So, what was up with the sudden maternal ambush out of the blue?  This was not like her at all? And here he had been all prepared to make sure Joseph was on his best behavior.  Apparently, he had worried about the wrong parent.  Plus, since when was mother the enforcer of keeping up proper appearances?  Funny enough how her concerns always only seemed to apply to his way of taking care of his affairs.  She never cared how things looked when his brothers were swapping wives and mistresses like no tomorrow.

“Look better to whom?” He had inquired, slightly surprised and miffed at her suggestion. 

“The lady you are married to.  Remember her? I mean, I have never officially met her, but I know as your wife I am sure she cares about you suddenly meeting up with Lisa Marie again.”

How lovely of mother to attempt to replenish his guilt supply.  Nice dig about having kept Deb far from the family. He didn’t believe in mixing business and private, so why bother introduce her if she was only going to be history in two years max? Not that he felt any guilt whatsoever toward Debbie. He had just finished spending several torturous days with her close by.  Last week, he had her flown in to pose for some pictures and to appease her with allowing her to attend a concert.  So no, he considered the box with his responsibilities to be checked for this month.  And the money they had agreed upon for these bonus performances been deposited in her account already.  The month before, she had suddenly showed up at his apartment in Paris, right in time for Prince turning four months old, and had annoyed him with her suggestion to allow a British journalist to tape some “family footage.” 

So, while he had played with Prince, singing to him, she had acted like a total lunatic, cooing over the baby and pretending they were the perfect family.  This was when it was confirmed how smart his son was already: listening to his birthmother go on and on caused little Prince to barf. 

That a boy!

Oh- how he envied his son for being afforded the luxury of honest reactions!  On the bright side, as annoying and diabetes inducing as her performance had been, he had hoped that she would stay clear of any of his plans involving Lisa if she thought things were going well between them.  To further his ongoing charade, he had asked her to come to London for a few days. 

As she drove off, Carlos had mumbled something about “Smooth move, boss, one lady going out, one coming in,” but wisely stated he had only remarked on the full moon, when Michael had turned and had sharply inquired what the remark had been about.  Great- now his staff thought he was some kind of masterful player, when really, he only wanted to be with the one woman he could not get out of his head…or his heart.  Why were things so easy for everyone else on this planet, and yet he was shackled to a woman he didn’t love while longing for the woman he should have been over by now? 

Really, he knew he could blame her cute ass and the way she kissed him and melted against him during their last encounter all he wanted- but this was not all about sex.  Even though sex with Lisa was always amazing- heck, even dreaming about sex with Lisa was amazing.  This was about something different altogether, and he was sick and tired of fighting against that monumental pull.  There was only one thing, one person who could not make him feel as if he was not hollow and fake- and it happened to be the one person who had hurt him like no one ever had before. 

Which is why you need to make sure you don’t go full throttle with the heart and all the mushy stuff, man.  Keep her at bay this time.  Get what you can and send her back on to her little rocker buddies.

God- he hated when his thoughts reminded him of the man across the table from him.  He was not a user.  But shoot, he would not be used by her, either.  Still, while he knew the only fool proof plan was to abandon all plans to spend time with her, he could think of nothing else but to see her again since he had left her house in Florida the last time. 

So, he had succeeded in shipping Debbie back to Paris before Lisa had finally arrived.  At the last minute he had decided Prince would also go back to their present home away from home to escape the craziness of the hotel, and should return to Paris as well to be taken care of by his nannies.  It hurt like hell to let him go- but, recently, he had noticed Lisa’s hesitation when he had mentioned that she finally would have a chance to meet his son.  And, up to the last minute, her trip to see him had been touch and go.  One excuse after the other had been thrown at him.  When he complained to Janet, she confirmed his suspicions:

“Mike, this is the baby she feels you left her for.  The baby you couldn’t wait to have with her- the one you pushed on her…the one you had with the other woman. The woman you then married.  And all this went down while you guys were still talking and she had hoped that things would get fixed. I mean, it was like you slapping her upside her head in public when she found out Prince was on the way.  So, maybe seeing him, meeting him, is asking just a bit too much of her right now.  Remember she almost broke not too long ago.  She’s so much stronger…but don’t make her face everything all at once. I think you  gonna get lucky if she does agree to come and visit.  So don’t pressure her.  You done that enough.”

Why did Janet have to make him feel like such an ogre? 

And really, no, Prince was not “that” baby.  There had been another little glimmer of light.  Another one of his babies had been miscarried.  But why get stuck on semantics now? 

After some thought, he discovered Janet was right about some of the things she brought up.  As much as he loved his son and already missed him horribly, he also had to tread extra lightly where Lisa was concerned.  If things would work out, he had to make her feel as secure as possible.  She had been hurt, and seeing her in Florida had really driven that message home.  It had been oh so easy to pretend he was the only victim of the mess they had made until he had seen her- a shell of her former, fierce self.  And while he knew she loved children, being confronted with the child that signified what she could not or did not want to give him, might chase her off again.  She might look healed and all strong again- and sexy as hell- but she was still vulnerable and he didn’t want to push her.  Not on that front anyway.  One thing at a time. 

Which was why his mother’s careless, uncharacteristically intrusive comment, almost made him gag on his food.  Not like he had been able to eat anyway.  He had been way to busy staring at Lisa.  She was beyond gorgeous.  Finally, she had gained a little bit of weight- and he loved how she wore her hair now.  She looked tan- and fit.  There was a glow to her again… and he adored a certain sexy glimmer in her eyes when she looked at him at times.  He tried to act all cool, but his eyes had a hard time not roaming over that blouse that dipped just low enough to tease him.  She wore a long strand of pearls which disappeared into her cleavage.  And if he was not totally mistaken he remembered buying them for her- and having her model them. Naked- with only her heels as the only article of clothing.  A cloud of tipsy butterflies rushed thought him, rendering him dizzy- and giving the napkin on his lap another lift.  Maybe he should be glad his mother diverted his mind from the woman across from him, who had never looked more hot and tempting, to the reality of their messed up situation.

Lisa also coughed, and again he hoped they would all survive this dinner. 

“Well, no, we don’t exactly live together. Danny just stays on the property most of the time.  He was homeschooling Riley up until recently and is also working on Ben’s pre-school curriculum.”

“Well, that is so sweet. How wonderful for them to have their father teach them- that is what Michael has planned as well, right?  Homeschool.”

Michael’s mind had taken a vacation from the topic of Danny and instead diverted into Lisa’s blouse again.

“Michael?”

He blushed. Dammit- was this stupid dinner not over yet?  I could not wait to walk behind her – watching her short skirt hug her hips and display her ass in just the right way. 

“Michael- are you here with us, your mother asked you something, boy?”

Nausea hit him when the flashback from childhood took him hostage at his father’s voice punching him in the gut.  Holy shit- this was like another circle of hell.  He cleared his throat and took a large gulp of his wine.  He caught Lisa’s eyes and he marveled how her expression turned from sexy and playful to worried, darkening her eyes. 

It was ok, though. He could fight his battles now.  He would simply ignore the old, miserable man who had lost his power a long time ago.  Better to focus on the future and his son. And the present and Lisa.

“Mother, I think Prince has a while before I have to worry about that.” He totally ignored Joseph as if he had not heard the sharp reprimand.

“Well, if you don’t mind me saying, Lisa Marie, this new, finagled modern stuff of having ex-husbands hang around just ain’t sitting right with me.  If you ask me, it’s wrong.”

How to ignore someone who refused to shut up? 

Of course, Joseph would give his five cents worth.  Great.  And what a surprise he didn’t agree with Lisa’s version of a modern, happy family. Joseph ran more along the old fashioned practice of having women on the side, and then installing any resulting children with the family unit without expecting anyone to have a problem with that. 

Still, Michael, to his chagrin, noticed that he agree with his father on one point. He hated that Lisa had to keep Danny around as some kind of hippie tutor to the kids.  What was he going to teach them? How to leach off rich in-laws and elevate not working to an art form?

“Well, I guess we gotta agree to disagree on that, Mr. Jackson. After all, if I didn’t believe that exes can be friends I wouldn’t be here, now, would I?” Lisa gifted his father with the sweetest smile, and Michael had to work hard to not roll his eyes, watching his Dad fall to her charm.

“Now, Lisa, child. I think you and Mike…it’s a bit different there. But I won’t argue- ‘cause I sure am glad you came across the big pond to spend some time with us.  My days sure are always brighter when you’re around. Like when you came by the house with Janet before… And how many times I gotta tell you it’s Joseph to you- you’re family, girl.”

Michael’s eyes widened.  Ok, his turn to be a bit surprised.  He knew Janet and Lisa had been just about inseparable- but it was news that they had been by Hayvenhurst since he and Lisa divorced.  If felt weird that she seemed closer to his family than he was.  During their marriage, Lisa and Rebbie also had become very tight.  No wonder they all had acted like he had been the heavy when things fell apart.  A little family loyalty would have been appreciated, but they all seemed to be team Lisa. 

Lisa smiled at his father again, then shot him a quick side glance, winking in a mischievous way.  His heart took another leap and he somehow got lost in that sparkle of her eyes.  Gosh, that girl was slaying Jackson men left and right. 

“Well, you are so sweet, Joseph.”

What was this? He almost laughed out loud at her tone.  At times the Memphis girl came through after all.  Did Lisa channel Scarlet O’Hara?  Michael suppressed another giggle which earned him a kick under the table. Hey! She hadn’t been in his presence for longer than five hours and was already abusing him?  She better watch out…

And did his father just blush?  Michael now could not help but roll his eyes at Lisa and make a face, causing her to laugh.

“Well, anyway. Mighty nice of you to keep that fella ‘round.  And I’m glad you say you and he are just friends, because I know my boy here doesn’t take it well when other men are intrudin’ on his territory.”

Oh God! This was the dinner from hell! Why in the world had he again listened to his mother?  He and Lisa could be sitting in his suite, or hers…eating popcorn…debating if they indeed needed separate rooms.  Instead he had to combat flashbacks to family dinners he had in the past been forced to attend.  The more he thought things had changed, the more he seemed stuck in time.  Joseph was in rare form.  Which was not the odd thing.  That was that, for the second time, Michael found himself secretly agreeing with the sentiments so carelessly thrown about by his father- while being horrified they were spoken out loud.

Of course, he hated to see Lisa around Danny.  Always had, always would.  He didn’t care how in the world she defined their strange relationship, but he was not buying that Keough could lie next to an almost naked Lisa outside her Florida house, blowing smoke rings into the sky, and NOT think about wanting to jump her bones.  And those were just the images some nosey paparazzi had snapped.  What the hell else had been going on there…

It was so horribly difficult to not tune into that voice, warning him that Lisa had weakened before when she had felt alone.  How in the world did she think it would make him feel, seeing her like this?  Was that his punishment for almost killing her?  And if so- was he willing to go with the sentencing?

Of course, Debbie had been nice enough to ensure he saw the grainy images last month. 

“I don’t care what you say, Michael, it sure looks as if she is back with her first husband. Guess she deserves some happiness. Seems like she finally moved on. Maybe you gotta let her lead by example.”

Well, maybe Debbie should shut her mouth and keep her unsolicited pearls of wisdom to herself before he stuffed her mouth with that fucking article. Gosh, he hated when his jealousy made him see red like this and turned him into a person he did not care for at all. A person who had lost all control. That was who he was all too often where Lisa was concerned.  And that part had always scared the holy daylight out of him.

Wisely, Michael didn’t say anything. He had been too busy trying to keep his temper.  What Lisa deserved was a swat across that amazing round butt, and a reminder dose of what she was missing.  Maybe that little parting gift in May had not been strong enough.  Or maybe she was still hedging her bets.  At the time, she once again had become very noncommittal about coming to see him.  He knew from the guards working for her that Danny and Priscilla both had been hanging around more after Janet had to leave.   And it seemed like that loser Luke was back sniffing around as well. 

Fucking hell- it sucked to be so powerless.  Sure, he talked to her at least every other day, but it still felt as if this was all new territory.  They hadn’t talked about the little sexual interlude, and despite some light flirting, most conversations had stayed light and on the surface of things.  They had talked about her health and about her promise to follow conventional medical treatments.  From what he could tell, her recovery had been going amazingly. 

And still…despite the conversations and the frequent contacts, there had been a strain between them Michael could neither define nor dispel. 

So, going against every cell in his body that wanted to ask about the pictures with her and Danny, he had kept his cool and simply stated she better not get sunburned hanging out at the pool with such little clothing to protect her. 

“Oh, you must have seen the pictures…” was her quiet reply after a little pause.

“Sure did…” was his equally restrained comment.

Then they both had changed the subject.  It was ok.  The message had been sent.  And had been received.  Words were, at that point, not necessary.  But she was on notice.  He was watching- and he didn’t’ like what he was seeing.

“Joseph! Michael and Lisa are friends- don’t you go around insinuating anything else.” His mother’s voice brought him back to the present.

Michael and Lisa’s eyes met across the table, and then both broke the contact at the same time, reaching for their wine glasses.  He felt the familiar thrill hit his gut.  Then his groin.   God, he knew. And so did she.  For that split second her guard had dropped and the desire had shone through.  That’s when he understood.  She was fighting a losing battle.  And she might hate it- but she felt the same pull. 

Lisa, baby…no use to run or hide. And no use to be scared, either. 

Then, again, could he blame her?  What if this was not simply a friendly visit?  What if things started up again?  And really, how could they not?  One look at her after she got off that plane had knocked his universe off its axis. This was not a friend coming to say hello. This was a woman on a mission to get her man back.  Whether she knew it or not. 

“Yeah, uhum, right…” Joseph laughed in a dirty way, and Michael felt the little hair on the back of his neck stand up.  His hand fisted under the table.  Why did that man have to be such an insensitive, uncouth brute?  How in the world was it possible he shared any genes with him?

Well, you know he is right again? Is that what you’re so mad about?  You know the whole friends thing is bullshit. Lisa didn’t come here looking like she did to be friends.  Not with that flipping little belly ring in…

God, he had been thinking about that all day long.  What in the world was she thinking?  And how did she know all kinds of naughty thoughts would be racing through his head all day.  Or, how did she not know? Right now though, the rising desire clashed with sudden anger.

He was pissed his father had to make it seem as if all Lisa and he had in common was the need to fuck.  Hell, if that was all it was about, both of them could get laid easier.  Did he have to be so utterly disrespectful, insinuating, Lisa was nothing like some kind of flown in mail order piece of ass?

Well, wasn’t this what she accused you of making her feel when she  came to Australia?

Michael felt heat flood his body, making the back of his neck and his cheek feel on fire.  No doubt, this time his anger showed. 

Come on idiot- don’t give him the satisfaction of sending you into a tailspin.  Those days are over.  Control…you yourself in check now.  He ain’t worth it. 

Yes, he could not afford to go nuts and send Lisa running for the hills. 

Battling to find a switch to activate his cooling system, he grabbed his napkin and put it on the table a bit harder than was necessary, his hand fisting into the material.   His father looked up and stared at him totally oblivious of how his crude remark had caused an awkward silence.   How could one be so completely out of touch with…human sensibilities?  

That’s when he felt it- Lisa’s leg pressed against him under the table and her small, cool hand came to rest on his.  Her eyes were on him now, her expression communicating so much more than she had told him all evening.

It was ok.   She knew. She knew it wasn’t about sex.  And she also knew it wasn’t about friendship, either.

Lisa also put her napkin on the table.  “Well, I’m sorry, I’m going to step out for a moment.  I want to go check on the kids: they were all kind of wired earlier, and I want to make sure they are not bouncing off the wall.”

Her hand gifted him with one solid squeeze, before she pushed her chair back and he shuddered from the loss of contact.

“Michael- you promised them you’d say good night. Would you like to come up with me?”

Hell yeah!

And if he had a choice he would send his father packing and be done dealing with him for the next ten years. Maybe he would buy an island for annoying people in his life- Joseph and Debbie might love to become neighbors.  Sadly, that island would probably sink soon from overpopulation.

“Well, take your time, sweetheart.  I think Joseph and I are about ready to turn in. We aren’t used to the jetlag yet, either.”

“Katie, I am not tired yet at all.  I was enjoying catching up with Lisa Marie here.  And it’s not like I see our son all that often.”

And I wonder why that was.  When he was such a perfect model of civility every time I did see him.

“Joseph, I think Michael and Lisa have enough catching up to do without us old folks cramping their style.”

“Speak for yourself, woman! But ok, I get it. I guess the young folks need some alone time.” There was that dirty sneer again.

“Yes, Joseph, otherwise we all will overdose from your charm- and we can’t have that.  Night mother…”

Michael stepped over and kissed his mother quickly, before she would have a change of heart.  Lisa also hugged both his parents, and he finally succeeded in dragging her out of the dining room in his parent’s suite. 

Lisa laughed behind him as he about ran to the elevator.  He had rented out the top floor for Lisa, the kids and their nanny, himself, as well as his security team, while his parents stayed a floor below them.

“Michael, hold up, you gonna make me break my legs, running down the hall like that.”

“Shoot, you should not wear them heels then, girl. We gotta hurry before one of them changes their mind about wanting us to stay.”

“Never heard you complaining about me wearing heels before, Michael.”

Michael stopped suddenly and Lisa collided with him.  He reached out to steady her, his hand around her waist.

“Whoa- watch out little woman- stop running me down.”

She giggled, “Well, stop stopping then – what was that about? No break lights or nothing! ”

“I was just gonna say that you know full well me wanting you to wear heels depends on…the situation.” His voice lowered at the last two words, and at the same time his hands magically glided from her waist down to her hips, then around to the swell of her ass, and back up to her waist. 

Lisa’s eyes darkened and narrowed as she smiled up at him with that crooked grin he adored.  “What ch’a doing?”  Her voice was a purr.

“Nothin’…” He stared down into her eyes, feeling pulled closer. God, had her lips always been this luscious looking? 

“Uhum…well, stop doing nothing, so we don’t get into trouble with your mother.  Plus, the elevator is here…” Lisa turned as the chime signaled the arrival.

“My mother ain’t running my life, you know… I’m a big boy now.” His tone was defiant.

Glancing over her shoulder, Lisa turned her head, her gaze dipping lower for a second.  “I remember…”

Shit, those words hit him straight in his groin.  Would his hard on ever subside tonight?

The special side elevator to the top floor chose that moment to open.  Michael cleared his throat and followed Lisa into the cabin, watching the rise and fall of her hips.  His hands still remembered the feel of her trim little waist, and for some reason he could almost feel them around her minus the little skirt, her ass stuck out at him.  No, he really had to control that darn flirty side of him.  As hard..ah…difficult as it was, he had to let her set the pace of this meeting.  If she really wanted to keep this on some kind of platonic level, he had to accept that.  He felt he had pressured her when she came to Australia.  And that trip had not turned out so well. 

On the bright side, she didn’t sound all that platonic when she just referenced her memory of me being a big boy… Well, unless she meant my hands, or  feet…

Lisa had positioned herself all the way on the back wall and he chose to turn his back to her, facing the elevator door.  Gosh, in another lifetime, she would be all over him now.  Hugging him from behind, rubbing his penis, maybe even…

Michael- this is not another life time.  This is…well, whatever… 

They were like two fighters, re-evaluating their routines in their corners.  It was pretty clear she needed a moment, and he was really glad to have a second to try and will his erection to go down a bit.  He was about to say goodnight to her kids, after all.  That was all.  Totally innocent.  He had been so happy to see Riley and Ben again. The children he had once thought of as his own and who now were the kids of a friend.  A friend with crazy heels, a tempting skirt, and a body that would not quit.  Somehow things had been much easier with his more homely friends, like Debbie and Karen.  No problems riding in elevators with them. 

Gosh, he hated the silence, though. Nervously, he stepped from one foot onto the other.

“So you did have a good flight, though, right?”

“Yes, it was wonderful. Just like the other ten times you asked.”

“And the food was good.”

“Pretty good for airplane food.”

“The kids got some sleep?”

“I really doubt it.  The nanny was with them when I finally passed out- they might have catnapped.  You know, just enough to keep the batteries charged. Well, you saw how out of control they were when you met us.”

Michael smiled.  Yeah- they had been like two little puppies coming flying across the VIP room he had been waiting in on pins and needles.  Lisa had assured him it would be ok if they met at the hotel, but he had been intent on surprising her, asking airport personnel to bring her to the special greeting area in the private part of the terminal. 

As soon as they came in, Ben and Riley bounded at him, almost knocking him to the ground, talking, laughing, and squealing all at the same time.  He hugged them tightly, having gone down on his knees to be more stable and to have a good embrace.  Looking up almost nervously, he met Lisa’s eyes, becoming instantly intoxicated by the mysterious blue depths when she removed her shades.  Then his eyes took in the rest of her. God- she looked amazing…

“Hey, you…”  All the flowery words he had planned on wilted away in his mind and were sucked into the vacuum caused by feeling knocked on his ass by her body in that tight outfit- and that glow in her eyes. 

“Hey, yourself.  Thanks for meeting us…the kids loved the surprise obviously.  Riley, Ben, give him some breathing room, guys!”

“But Mom! We have not seen Michael in like forever! And you said we won’t see him till later- this is so ultra cool!” Riley’s cheeks had been flushed from all her exuberant excitement, and he kissed her one more time.

“Yes, Mommy! Come give Michael a hug, too- it’s ok, I make room for you.” Ben chimed in.

Lisa smiled a bit hesitantly and slowly approached.  Michael rose, Ben and Riley both holding on to his one hand. 

“Hope the kids aren’t the only ones not minding the surprise.” He opened his arms for her and she stepped up closer, her body still slightly tense. 

Lisa raised her head to kiss him on the cheek.  Instinctively, and without though, he had pulled her closer with his free arm, causing her to come much closer and also turned his head, making her lips land on his.  A jolt raced through him and he felt her lips soften.  She then turned into him more, her body aligning with his, as her arm almost automatically came around his waist and her head, for a moment, rested against his shoulder.  The little gesture of trust turned him to mush.

“It’s so good to see you, Mike…” she whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m so happy you made it, you got no idea…” Not being able to help himself, he kissed her head, suddenly surprised by tears choking him.

“Mommy, Michael- what are we gonna do? Are we gonna see the Queen?  Or Princess Diana?”

“Or the Tower with the Ravens?”

Ben and Riley jumped up and down, still holding his hand prisoner. 

Lisa laughed and smiled up at him, while backing away from his embrace. “Guys, how ‘bout we not dislocate Michael’s arm, and then we head to the hotel so you can calm down a bit?”

Carlos, also saying hello to Lisa, motioned for the two other guards to grab the hand luggage and headed for the private exit with the SUV parked outside.  Lisa picked up Ben, while Riley was glued to Michael’s hand.  Automatically, Michael reached for Lisa’s hand, and she returned his grasp, giving him a little smile.  It was funny, but her and the children arriving felt as if he was coming home.

After he tucked them in and read them a story, he strolled into the main salon of Lisa’s suite, waiting for her to say her final good night to them.  He played with the remote, trying to figure out what was next on the agenda.  Should he ask her to have a drink?  And if so, here or in his suite…  Or would she think he simply wanted to jump her bones.  Not that he didn’t want to, but he didn’t want her to think that was all he had in mind. 

Lisa cut short his musings when she appeared out of the kids’ room, closing the door very quietly. 

“Can you believe Ben is already out?  I helped Riley brush her teeth and when we got back he was already snoring.  And despite her protests, I know she is about to conk out as well. I guess it’s good they didn’t nap during the day.  That should help them with the jetlag.”

“Yeah, kids are more resilient that way anyway. Prince almost didn’t…” Michael stopped himself, biting his lip, not knowing if it was appropriate to raise the topic of his son.

Lisa stopped and looked down at him. “Almost didn’t what?”

“Ah…nothing…I meant to say, he almost didn’t have jetlag, but...ah…”

“Michael, this is silly- You shouldn’t try to avoid talking about your boy.  I mean, I know you love him, and I know he was just here. Actually, I thought he would be here still…”

“Well, I thought he needed to be back home…or what we have as home for now. I still hope you come and meet him later…in Paris.”

“We’ll see…”  her voice drifted off. Every time he thought he could pin down her plans, she became evasive and her motives and intentions slipped from his grasp like sparkling, slippery gold fish in a clear river. Seemingly so easy to apprehend, yet a million miles away before you even knew how they got away.

Lisa turned and walked over to the minibar.  “You want a drink, Mike?”

Well, that took care of wondering if he should offer her one. 

“I take some chardonnay if you have it.”

“Well, weird you should mention it; someone put a couple of bottles of that in the fridge here?  Funny that, hm?”  She smiled over at him, before retrieving the bottle. 

Since the fridge was down low, Lisa bent over, sending shivers down his spine as he watched her behind jut out and her skirt reveal a lot of her trim upper thigh.  Damn! If she was playing the friend card, she really needed to change clothes.  A potato sack might help.  Or an Amish garment.  A burka, maybe.  At least she had taken those shoes off.  He was not sure if he had been able to control himself otherwise.

Michael got up, his penis being easier to deal with while standing and came up behind her as she tried to tackle the bottle opener. 

Reaching around her, his hand covered hers and he froze. Lisa also stilled, then almost automatically brought her hips back into him.

Woman! This was so not helpful. On the other hand, he also didn’t back off, but instead pressed into her more, causing a significant hardening as he enjoyed he feel of her but against him like so many other times before.

“Here let me get that…” his voice sounding a bit choked, he reached for the bottle opener.

“What? Oh…” Lisa’s voice also sounded as if she had been running.

After a second of hesitation, she handed him the bottle opener and stepped to the side, immediately causing him to regret the loss of heat against him.

With slightly trembling hands, he uncorked the bottle.

“You want some, too? ‘Cause the elves also put some red over there- and I have some vodka as well.”

“You trying to get me drunk? …Red please.”  How he loved her naughty little wink.

Michael reached over and poured her drink first, noticing the bottle had already been opened.  Seemed someone had needed a little calming potion before dinner as well.

“Would it help my cause?” He handed her the glass, and she took it, her fingers momentarily touching his. 

Well, his penis had just deflated a bit- but the contact remedied that.  Thanks, Lisa.

Stop blaming her- not like you can stop flirting. 

He sighed.  It was true, he could simply not help himself.

“You got a cause, Mike?” Lisa cocked her head and her eyes laughed up at him.

“I always got a cause, girl. And they are always worthy.”

“I don’t know about worthy. But I know you’re always determined…”  Her hands played with the pearls on her strand.  Man- even the most innocent of gestures made him burn hotter. 

Finally succeeding to pour his own glass, he raised it in a toast.
“To good friends and good causes. The ones worth fighting for- and dying for.”

“Hear, hear.” Lisa took a sip, then glanced up at him through hooded eyes. “What? The causes or the friends? Worth fighting and dying for…”

“Both.”  He took a large sip, his eyes never leaving hers.

Lisa finally broke eye contact and fidgeted with her glass. “Hey, Mike, would you mind if I took these off…I mean, to put on something more comfy.  I mean…I don’t know…what you got planned…but…” Her voice drifted off.

Oh, the things that came to mind at her mention of dropping her clothes. Even if she had not actually put it that way.  Still, images of her wiggling out of that skirt, and drinking wine in only an open blouse, a strand of pearls, and her heels back on, took him on a little joyride.  Even if chances that she had the same thing in mind were slim to none.  Of course, even if she did, she would not show her hand this early in the game.

“Well, ah…I don’t know. I figured we can talk. Unless, of course, if you’re too tired… I could see that. I mean, you’ve flown all day.  So, if you wanna be alone…I could…you know…”

Why in the hell was he stuttering as if this was his first date ever and he was in tenth grade. And really, it was not a date at all. Was it?

Lisa blushed, obviously also having been transported back in time to some awkward age when dating was a minefield. Man- they had not been this uncomfortable and insecure with each other when they actually had started talking.  All those years ago, when the only thing that had been clear was the close, unbreakable connection they had shared.

“No, I would like it if we could…talk…and stuff. I mean, you know, talk.” She cleared her throat. “You know, I guess I’m a bit surprised you didn’t ask me to come over to your suite. Not in a bad way, though…”

What did that mean?  Had she thought he was simply going to bounce on her?  Not that he didn’t want to… Had he misread her signals that badly?

“Oh really? And if I had, Lisa…would you have come?”

He stepped up closer into her personal space again, forcing her to tilt her head back to keep eye contact.  For a second, she kept staring at his chest, then looked up with a playful grin.

“Not sure. You didn’t ask. So, I guess, we’ll never know.”

“And if I asked now?” His voice had become deeper and it seemed the temperature had increased suddenly.  Her face came closer, probably because his was pulled down by an invisible force.

Lisa stared at him, her face becoming serious.  She raised a finger, placing it at his lips.

“Don’t.  Why tempt fate? Let’s just stay here and talk, ok? I’ll be right back.”

With that, she turned, and disappeared into her bedroom.

Michael used the short cooling off period to use the bathroom and check his messages.  The nanny had called, giving him the evening report for Prince and he smiled, hearing the happy little man babble in the background.  Reaching for the phone to call back real quick before he knew the baby to be asleep, he noticed the red light too late.  Recognizing, Lisa’s voice he initially wanted to hang up right away when he noticed she was on the line, then remained frozen in place when a male voice assaulted him.

“Lisa, I really don’t know why you had to fly off like that without telling me when you’ll be back.”

“I didn’t know I had to check in with you every time I was away.”

“No, you know it’s not like that. I just thought we had plans…”

Plans, what plans could she have?  This trip had been scheduled for a while.  What, had she forgotten to fill in whatever loser was on the other end?

“Luke- I told you I would be out of touch for a while- and I really only called to let Danny know the kids are ok. Where is he, by the way?”

Oh, so it was that Luke dude she was talking to. Who was he to her that he made her feel like she owned him an explanation?  And if she called Keough, why was that guy hanging around?  What was it with Lisa and her commune of losers- she collected them like other people collected rocks. And they were just about equally as smart. 

Michael quietly hung up the phone and gulped down his wine.  Maybe he should just leave.  Obviously, she was too busy with all these superfluous people in her life.  Maybe he was simply kidding himself.  Sure, he loved her and wanted her.  Had missed her like hell.  But so what?  Obviously, she had moved on and maybe, just maybe he was now where Danny had been- the outsider looking in.  Only, he was less than Danny.  He did not even have any children keeping them connected.  They only had…what? What exactly kept him coming back for more punishment? 

He put down his glass, and stepped toward the door, suddenly sure that he needed to get out of here before she returned.  If she hadn’t forgotten he was out here, altogether.

Michael reached for the door and pulled it open.

What the heck is wrong with you, man?  She came to see you.  All the way from the States.  She obviously blew the other dude off.  She even left the tag-along slash tutor at home.  Think, man- who are they and who are you? Do you really think that girl who wears your pears and had her eyes glued to you all night is even thinking about those guys?

“Michael? Where you’ going?” 

He froze.

Shit… Now or never.  Run and never know, or stay and talk to her.  You know, like adults do…

“Nowhere. I was gonna call Prince, but I guess he’s asleep by now anyway, so I’ll just call in the morning.”

Relinquishing the door knob, he turned toward her, noticing the insecure expression in her eyes before his eyes roamed over her little gym shorts and the tiny t-shirt that revealed about half an inch of her abs.  Sadly, she had also removed the piercing.  So much for dressing more comfortably, leaving him immediately with less space in his pants.  Comfortable for whom?  Amazingly, all thoughts of Danny and Luke, or any other insignificant folks evaporated.  Hell, if he was leaving!

Lisa stepped up past him and closed the door, then leaned against it, looking up at him.  He turned and approached her, pulled by her huge eyes. 

“Were you gonna leave without saying goodnight?” 

Was that a sheen of tears, turning her eyes into sparkling sapphires? And why did she look so small and vulnerable now, making him feel like a real shithead?

He shook his head ever so slowly.

“You heard me on the phone.”

Funny how she always asked questions that sounded like statements.  That was certainly a habit her remembered. 

Michael simply returned her stare. “Do you regret you came?”

“I had no choice, don’t you know that by now?”

A lonely tear slid down her soft cheek.  He reached out and caught it, cherishing the sparkling drop, wishing with all his heart she’d never cry over him again.

“You always have a choice, Lisa. I don’t wanna make you feel trapped...But I’m also not gonna play ‘round knowing you got some guy waiting in the wings.”

“Oh really?”  Suddenly, her expression turned, and a flash of passion lit up her eyes, giving them that green aqua tint always accompanying her anger…or her arousal. Sometimes, it was difficult to tell the difference.  “That’s real cute, Michael, given you got a woman who happens to be your wife waiting in the wings. How do I know she didn’t just leave your bed, and you’ll head straight back there once you’re done with me? Like before…”

That stung.  Did she really see herself as that replaceable? Well, shoot.  Trust issues obviously still were problematic.  That and, if they were friends, what did it matter if he had a wife?  Was she finally giving up all that bull about this being about a platonic relationship?  Part of him wanted to explain for the hundredth time that Debbie was not his wife in any real sense of the word, but really, he felt he had done his part of explaining. 

Defiance flooded him, and he set his jaw.   

“You don’t.”

Lisa stared at him, obviously not having expected that answer. 

“You’re such a bastard at times, I almost forgot.”

“Yeah? You also forget I don’t like sharing?”  He stepped up closer, his hands on her shoulders now.

“And I do, Michael?”

His mouth was almost touching those sweet lips now. Talking, as always didn’t get them frigging anywhere. One hand left her shoulders, and not even knowing what he was doing, he  reached back and grabbed her head, his fingers entangled in her hair, forcing her lips to him.

“Don’t, Mike…”

“Shut up, Lisa…let me show you…”

His lips claimed hers in a hot kiss finally, and while she feebly attempted to turn her head away, he stepped in more, leaning his body into hers, holding her head still.  Lisa made a little protesting sound and Michael used his tongue to tease and play with her bottom lip, then he swept in for the full out attack, invading the heat of her mouth, while grinding his pelvis into her.  He really had meant to just kiss her lightly, to show her that she never had to share him, ever.  However, it had simply been too long and his anger, in a seamless transition, morphed into intense passion.  Lisa’s sound changed to a moan of pleasure and she met his tongue, gliding against it, surrounding it, sucking it onto her mouth.  Her hands still gripped his shirt, only she was no longer pushing him away, and instead held him to her.  One hand slowly glided down his back and came to rest on his ass, pulling him into her more, causing his erection to twitch against her.  God, she had to feel what she did to him. She had to be able to read the quality of his kiss. 

Short of passing out, he pulled away, still placing small kisses on her lips, her cheeks, her neck.

“Michael…” Lisa breathlessly moaned against him.

“Can’t you tell, girl?  Can’t you tell you never had to share me?  You always got me…I always want you…only you…it’s always been only you…”

“Then why…why, Mike…” Her eyes looked up at him and the darkness reflected her pain and her passion in equal amounts.

“Shhht…don’t Lisa… Let me take the pain away…let me show you how I feel…”

Blood was rushing through him, and he thought he would pass out from the pain of his dick being squeezed by his pants.  His mouth found her again, and Lisa responded with wild abandon.  Michael's hand wandered down her shirt, rested shortly on the small of her back, then grabbed her round ass cheeks, massaging first one, then the other.  Lisa retaliated and he felt her small hand on his butt, then came between them, finally finding his crazy hard on, rubbing him through the material. 

“Oh shit, I can see how you feel…you’re so fucking hard, Mike…”

With trembling fingers she opened his fly, and he sighed in relief when her hot little hand finally freed him.  His own hand glided under her shirt, rubbing the soft, heated flesh of her back, finding no pesky bra strap stopping his exploration.  Naughty little woman!  His fingers travelled toward the front, finding the soft mounds of her little perfect breasts, adorned by the hard puckered tips he remembered in his dreams.

“Lisa….shit…” Lisa had fully opened his pants now and had gripped his cock, stroking it with just the right amount of pressure, while her other hand joined in the fun and fondled his balls.  Holy fuck! Nothing had felt this right since that night in Florida. 

While she used her fingers to rub over the sensitive tip of his penis, using the escaped drop of precum to glide over the swollen bulb, he raised her shirt and bent his head, his mouth watering for a taste of those pink pebbles.  His tongue lapped at her and she sighed, arching into him.  When he suckled the constricted tip into his hot mouth, Lisa cried out and increased her hold on him.  Oh shit…so much for a friendly sharing of drinks.  He was drinking from her alright, not being able to get enough of the taste of her skin. 

“Michael, oh God… You drive me crazy… you have no fucking idea what you do to me, do you?”

Well, he kind of did… When he pushed her gym shorts to the side, he almost expected to not find panties, but no, she wore a silken thong…  He dipped lower and found her pouting lips through the soaked material.  Crap… what was he doing?   

“Lisa…baby girl, so soft..so wet….I miss your little pussy so much…”

“Shit, Michael, we gotta stop…the kids…”

Of course he knew she was right.  This was madness.  He almost was ready to take her right there against the door.  His dick twitched and ached, longing to fill that tight, hot little cunt he had not felt around him in way too long. 

Still, no… she was right…

With a sigh, he removed his hand and then took hers off his pulsing erection.  Lisa sank against him, kissing him weakly…

Breaking the kiss finally, he picked her up, carrying her to the couch, while Lisa rested her head against his shoulder.

“You know what?  You have a sip of wine or something, and I…I gotta go to…ah…go to the bathroom, kay?”  He smiled at her with an embarrassed grin and Lisa returned the smile, winking at him.

“Yeah…you better…take a little time out there, tiger.”  She kissed his neck.

“You are not helping, you know?”

“Sorry…I guess…”

“Lisa- you know…we could…we could go over to my room…and I show you how to take all those doubts away.”

“Well, I know it may be a bit late, but maybe we shouldn’t lose our heads like that.  I think we still have to talk about some…ah…issues that seem to keep coming up. I mean, Mike, neither one of us seems to know exactly what is going on here.”

“Well, let me help you. It was you and me, against a wall, and you had my…”

“Michael” Lisa laughed, “You better shush and take that leak, so maybe that snake can fit in your pants again…”

“Girl, I know a much better place it could fit…” He giggled while making his way over to the bathroom.

“Hush, Michael!”

“Women- first they get you hot and bothered, then they send you to take a cold shower.” He was laughing now as well, blowing her a kiss before disappearing into the bathroom.

After ten minutes, he had succeeded in closing his pants, but he still was mighty uncomfortable.  His option at this point included a quick cold shower, a quick handjob, or a quick retreat to take care of things in the privacy of his own room.  God, he really didn’t want her to feel he was running way, but staying here with her was torturous as well.  She was right, of course, they did need to talk.  But it seemed that this rational, adult talk would go easier once they’d take care of that sexual tension that had kept him suspended over the volcano all night. 

This was ridiculous! Maybe it was best to return to his suite, change, and then … well, if Lisa wanted to talk, he could always return and at least be close to her.  If things got heated- he’d just take things into his own hands and haul her off to his bed.  Sure, she might fight at first, but it wouldn’t be the first time some macho action on his part had led to quite a nice resolution of built up tension.

“Lisa- I think I’ll go and change and then…Lisa?”

Michael stepped into the salon and found the object of his desire curled up on the couch, passed out cold.  She looked like a little girl, her cheeks rosy and her sexy mouth slightly open.  Bending down, he kissed her cheek, and she wasn’t even making a sound or a movement.  He should probably carry her to her room and make sure she was comfortable, but he didn’t want to wake her.  Lisa obviously needed her rest and the couch was quite large. 

No, it would simply not do.  He could not leave her here and risk her being all kinds of stiff in the morning.  No matter how stiff he would be…in the part of his anatomy that had not been able to be distracted from her. 

Michael gently lifted her, and she snuggled against him with a little sigh.

“Shhh, baby girl. I’m gonna take you to bed, ok?” He kissed her head as he strolled toward the bedroom.

“I like it when you take me to bed…” she whispered against him.

“Woman, you better hush before I forget myself and take you to my bed.” 

“Promises, promises…”  Her eyes were still closed and he was not too sure she was not still asleep. Lisa always had possessed that uncanny ability to hold a conversation while being out cold.

Arriving at her turned down bed, he placed her down, and she immediately rolled into a little ball.  Smiling, he tucked her in, making sure she was all covered up.  For a second he had actually thought about taking her clothes off, but then, the immediate growing in his pants reminded him that he’d never make it back to his suite if he did. 

“Night, Princess.” He kissed her forehead and she smiled in her sleep. 

“Lisa?”  No response.

“I do love you more than you’ll ever know or believe, girl,” he whispered before he pulled the door shut.

He poured himself another drink, checked on the kids who were as fast asleep as their mother, and finally made it back to his suite.

Well, that first day had gone pretty well.  No one had died and Lisa and he were still speaking. This was certainly a promising start.

Even though you still have that semi-hard in your pants.

Well, yeah, there was that minor problem.  Taking a shower, finally brought some relief and, after making some business related phone calls back to the States, and scribbling down some notes and random sentiments that had popped into his head, he decided to try and go to bed.  Of course, no surprise, he was not the least bit tired, and instead felt quite wired. Great. Now what?

Serves you right, man. If you had fucked her like she wanted you to, you’d be out cold by now.

Yeah, either that, or they’d be getting ready for another argument.  Odds were about evenly divided on that.  Plus, he had to go slow.  He wanted her back with him- but really had no clue how he would convince her that she should overlook the fact that he had a wife, and possibly another baby on the way.

As per their contract, Debbie had been implanted with several fertilized eggs earlier this month in Paris.  The whole time, all he had been able to think about was how he and Lisa would raise this baby, conceived in the city that held so many of their memories, as well as Prince together.   So, he had a pretty solid goal in mind, now all he had to do was figure out how to get from point A to point B.  He was well aware of all the hurt he had caused Lisa, and he was willing to step up and make it up to her.

And what? She will happily accept yet another baby?

Well, she would simply have to understand this time.  Plans had been in motion for a very long time- but this second baby was the first stone on the road to exit this sham of a marriage. 

Sighing, Michael turned off the light.  Immediately, his mind started replaying events of today, and of course, he got stuck on images of Lisa pressed against the door, her hand on his cock, his hand in her pants, getting ready to finger fuck her just before lifting her up, feeling her legs around him, lowering her hot, tight pussy onto him…  Hearing her moan and sigh his name as he withdrew from her, feeling her shiver against him, her legs tightening, fighting to get him back close to her.

Good job, Michael.  You are now again as hard as a rock.  And you are still minus a woman in your bed.

His hand reached under the cover and past the elastic of his pajamas.  It was not her, but maybe jacking off would finally allow him to go to sleep.  He slipped off his pjs and reached for the hand lotion.

Closing his eyes, his hand grabbed his shaft at its base, as his mind once again imagined Lisa’s eyes as his fingers found the dripping well of her desire.  Allowing his hand to move the skin along the length of his penis, he arrived at the top, his hip coming off the bed.  Michael glanced down on himself, noticing precum developing, his thumb using it to glide over his head, pumping himself harder.  If only her small, skilled hands were doing what needed to be done…of course, more than anything longed to bury himself inside her heat, feeling her squeeze him, hearing her call out his name, asking him to give it to her hard…

“Michael…”

Yeah, baby..say my name…you know I can give it to you like no one else…I’m so close…”

“Michael…?”

Shit- his imagination was good, but not that good. His hand stilled and he noticed his bedroom door had opened, revealing a small person standing there.

“Lise? Everything ok?” He quickly covered himself up again, hoping her eyes had not adjusted to the darkness yet.

“Mike, I couldn’t sleep…  I mean, I was asleep, but I woke up, and I got scared…I had a nightmare…”

Michael sat up and turned the light on, causing her to blink.  God- her eyes were puffy from sleep, her lips looked swollen, and her hair was a mess.  If he didn’t know any better she looked as if she just had been fucked…

Michael swallowed and was torn about what to do.  His first instinct was to pat the side of his bed, making room for Lisa- then he remembered he was quite naked.

Be smart man- she might just be able to help you with that aching pain you had all night. Especially since her entrance prevented that quick self-service you had in mind. 

“Michael? I mean, I know, I’m being a baby, I’m sorry, I can just leave.  I’m sorry…”

She started to turn and he leapt up, forgetting all about his natural state of undress.

“Lisa, no- wait…” The sudden movement caused the cover to slip off him and to the ground.  Michael froze in mid motion.

Lisa turned and stared down on him- and at the newly grown erection greeting her.

Oh shit!  Well, what’s done was done…possibly, this night had potential after all…

(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.