Strange Neighbors (12 page)

   "What do you call it?"

   She smiled. "Acing it. Passing with flying colors."

   At last, he smiled too. "It's about time I did something right." He leaned over and cupped the back of her head. She knew he wanted to kiss her. Something inside still jittered, but it was hard to deny the bridge he was trying to build. It was about time she took a few steps over it and met him halfway.

   She leaned toward him. He correctly interpreted her permission and drew her lips to his. They shared a long, tender kiss. Nothing passionate with fireworks and curled toes, but in a way, she needed this more. She needed to calm down and his kiss soothed her.

   "Jason, I'm really sorry." She felt hot tears at the back of her eyes threatening to spill. Oh, for God's sake, Merry. Don't give him any more signs of PMS. He already suspects.

   He smiled but didn't say anything.

   "Am I forgiven?" she asked.

   "Totally. To be honest, I think I'd have been a little surprised and insulted if you weren't jealous at all."

   "Really? Does that mean you don't think I'm a jackass?"

   He grinned. "Well… I wouldn't use that word, but you sure can be a—challenge, when you're mad."

   She snickered. "A challenge. Nice way to put it. Probably nicer than I deserve." Merry stared at her lap and realized how lucky she was he hadn't dumped her on the spot.

   He used the backs of his knuckles to stroke her cheek softly. She closed her eyes and turned into his hand. She sensed, rather than saw, his lips heading for her face. His fingers cupped the back of her neck as his lips brushed her other cheek.

   She turned her head to meet his kiss. And what a kiss it was! Long, deep, and languorous. Their tongues met and swirled. She slid her arms around his neck and her abdomen fluttered.

   When he leaned back a few inches, he said, "Well, we've made it to our destination. Are you ready to go inside?"

   She glanced out through the windshield and couldn't really tell where they were. Some back street and it looked kind of sketchy.

   As if he read her mind, he said, "We're at Fenway Park. Don't worry, you're safe. You're with me."

   He hopped out, jogged around the car, and opened her door for her. Even right after a fight, he was a gentleman. He helped her out of the car and led her to a back entrance. He knocked on the door, and it opened.

   "Hey, Jason," a burly black man said, and shook his hand enthusiastically. "Is this the lady friend you mentioned?"

   He mentioned me?

   "Yep. This is Merry."

   "What a beauty. No wonder you wanted to show her around when the place was deserted. You don't need the competition."

   Merry wanted to burst out laughing—and kiss whoever this wonderful man was.

   "Merry, this is Bubba. He's head of security here at the stadium and he's giving us a special pass so I can show you my second home."

   She shook the guard's hand.

   Jason wrapped an arm around her shoulder and escorted her along the deserted corridor. At last, they stopped at one of the luxury boxes. It was like a small, private room with carpeting, comfortable seats, and what looked like a wet bar and snack table.

   If not for the full moon, the field might have been invisible, but thanks to ol' Luna he could show her a few areas of interest.

   First, he pointed out the pitcher's mound where he spent most of his time when he started.

   She rolled her eyes and said, "I think I can pick out the pitcher's mound and the bases."

   Then he had to explain what "starting" meant—that he only had to pitch every fifth game or so.

   "Must be nice. I wish I only had to work ever fifth night for a few hours and make the money you do."

   "Do you know how much money I make?"

   "No, and don't tell me. I know sports figures make a lot. Besides, it's rude to ask someone about his or her salary."

   He couldn't help but grin. Apparently, she didn't realize it was a matter of public record that he had signed a three-year contract for ninety million. He liked knowing it didn't matter to her.

   Next he showed her the "Green Monster."

   "I've heard of the 'Green Monster,' but I thought that's what attacked me during the stupid auction."

   Jason chuckled. "At least you admit it. No, it's affectionately called the Green Monster because of its size, and… well, it's green. It's hard to see color at night. Some powerful batters can belt a ball right over it and out of the park."

"Really? Holy crap. Have you ever done it?"

"No, but I'm working on it."

   While she stared at the field, he stood behind her and stroked her arms. He was trying to make this tour as exciting as he could for a non-fan. Happily, his enthusiasm must have been contagious because she asked a few intelligent questions and didn't yawn once.

   He pulled her warm body against his chest and his erection nudged her backside. "See what you do to me?" he whispered in her ear.

   She shivered, tipped her head back, and rested it on his shoulder. "Mmm… I guess you really forgave me."

   He could almost hear her smile.

   He trailed his finger up and down her arm. "You're my girl, Merry. Little disagreements happen between couples. It doesn't have to end things. Besides, you and I are just beginning."

   She turned in his arms. Gazing into his blue eyes, she asked, "So, what did you mean when you were talking about taking our relationship to the next level?"

   "I think you know." Jason planted soft kisses down her neck to her shoulder. She cupped his jaw and drew him to her lips for a long, deep kiss.

   His hands wandered—one up and one down until he held her breast and cupped her bottom. His thumb brushed a nipple and she groaned. When she cupped his balls through his slacks it felt so good he wanted his pants to magically disappear.

   After kissing and exploring for a few minutes, Jason walked Merry backward to the comfortable-looking couch, lowering her back zipper as he moved. She found his belt buckle and opened it. He kicked off his dress shoes and then fumbled with the buttons on his shirt as she shrugged out of her dress.

   They made out for another several minutes. At last, they nudged each other's underwear off, and the two of them faced each other with only skin between them. Jason swooped in for a long kiss, and then lowered her gently to the sofa.

   "You're beautiful," he murmured in her ear.

   She took his cock in her hand and stroked. "So are you."

   He loved the sensation of her hand gripping his rod, and then she found his ball sac with her other hand and gently squeezed. "Ohhh… I won't last if you keep doing that. Tell you what. Ladies first."

   He shifted her onto her back and gently squeezed her breast. Strumming her nipple with his thumb, he took the other one in his mouth. She moaned as he suckled her. She grasped his cock again and caressed it while he did a thorough job on her left breast. Her touch sent prickles of electricity wherever she stroked him. When he moved to her right side, he slid his hand to her mons and she arched into him.

   His fingers explored her pussy as he suckled again. Her slick folds indicated her readiness, and even as desperate as he was to be inside of her, he wanted to make it last and show her what he could do.

   He circled her clit with one finger. She writhed and whimpered, obviously as desperate as he was for more. He inserted first one finger, then two, sucked her breast deeper and stroked her G-spot. She gasped and rocked with the motion of his finger.

   He broke his suction on her breast and slid downward to lick her. He didn't stop what he was doing with his fingers, since she seemed to enjoy it. In fact, he increased his speed and licked as she arched her back, moaning louder. At last, he fastened onto her button and…

   "Oh, God!" she yelped. She vibrated in his arms and cried out. It was all he could do to stay on her sweet spot as she bucked and shattered.

   When her body melted, completely limp, he crawled up beside her and smiled with deep satisfaction. She panted heavily and looked dazed. Delighted with her responsiveness, he simply waited for her to recover.

   Eventually she managed to focus on his face and spoke breathlessly. "Dear God…"

   "Nope. It's just me, Jason."

   She cracked a smile and started to laugh. "Sorry, easy mistake."

   He grinned and swooped in for a short but meaningful kiss. "Let me know when you're ready for more."

   She glanced down at his cock, now hard as a spike. "Soon. How did you do that? I mean, find my G-spot and everything?"

   "Years of curling these long fingers around a baseball, I guess."

   "Man… I've never—I mean never felt anything like that before."

   He flipped up onto his knees. "There's more, you know." He dove for his pants and extracted a condom.

   "I know… and I want it." She parted her thighs. "Do you mind if I just lie here and let you do anything you want to my boneless body? I promise, next time you'll be first and I'll wait for you to recover."

   He chuckled. "I don't mind at all." He rolled the condom on, tapped her knees a little farther apart, and settled between them.

   "I was just kidding," she said. "I won't make you do all the work." She bent her knees, took hold of his shaft, and guided him in.

   Even though she was tight, she was so well lubricated he was able to slide in all the way to the hilt. Ah, heaven.

   He started a slow rhythm, which she matched by lifting her hips. She closed her eyes and let out another long moan.

   "Are you okay?"

   "Mmm…" She sighed. "Feels good. So good."

   "Yes it does…" And it did. Better than usual—even though he hadn't been sensitized by oral foreplay. If he had been, he wouldn't have made it this far. Her warm tight channel hugged his girth perfectly. He was afraid he might be too large, but she seemed able to take all of him.

   The familiar ball of urgency at the base of his spine demanded he increase his pace. He did so, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. She kept up with his pace just fine. She even opened her eyes and smiled at him—a soft, lazy look pervaded her hooded gaze.

   "I love you, Merry," he said. Where did that come from? He hadn't intended to make that declaration, but it slipped out with ease.

   Before she could respond, he closed his eyes and increased his pace again, now pounding into her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and panted heavily, but not in an uncomfortable way. He spasmed and jerked several times as his orgasm overtook him. He rode the jolts of bliss all the way to the last aftershock, then collapsed beside her.

Merry had floated through her shift the following night. She knew Jason was out with Ms. Skinny-dyedand-surgically-altered, but she didn't feel insecure. There wouldn't be a second date… because he loved her. Her! Merry MacKenzie of dinky little Schooner, Rhode Island. They had taken their relationship to the next level and then some.

   She wondered if he had expected her to say the words when he did. At the time, she could barely breathe, never mind think and talk. And afterward, they did a quick clean-up and scooted out when Jason wondered if security had hidden cameras in those luxury boxes. Bubba seemed like a nice guy, but was he nice enough to turn his head? Was any man able to look away from live porn? Très doubtful.

   In the car on the way home from Fenway Park, they made small talk. He asked her if she had plans for Thanksgiving. Of course, she did. Who would cook the turkey for her family if she wasn't there? One of her sisters-in-law would bring a couple of side dishes and the other would bring pies, but neither one of her married brothers had room for a big get-together, so everyone came "home" for the holidays. Merry had been preparing a big holiday dinner with all the fixings since she was seventeen. Once her older brothers had found wives, she had some help.

   Jason said he'd always gone home for Thanksgiving and Christmas too, but it was easier when he lived in Minnesota. Now that he was in Boston, he might choose one or the other and stay for a few days.

   She wondered if he was hinting at an invitation to her house, but she had to think about it. She was sure her family would be okay with it—hell, they'd be thrilled— but would her little brother tell all of his friends and impose upon her ten more mouths to feed? Absolutely. And they'd set upon poor Jason like vultures.

   She could always invite Jason and say nothing to her family about his accompanying her. Yeah, that's what she'd do. And now she had an excuse to see him. No key to the penthouse, it was much too soon for that, but she had his cell phone number.

   Maybe she'd wait until her day off to call him. Yeah, Monday would be soon enough. What little ESP she had wasn't sensing any dire portents or even warning bells. She'd show him she trusted him completely by not trying to get hold of him first thing Sunday morning. But if he wanted to see her, of course that was another matter. She'd not only let him in, she'd throw him down on the couch and have her nasty way with him.

"I'm telling you, Ralph, he said there's a ghost in that apartment. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised. After all, I stumbled over a box that I swear wasn't there when we walked in."

   Ralph opened the fridge and grabbed a beer. "Someone probably came in after you and you didn't hear them. Maybe they had something in the box they needed and just forgot to put it away."