Chapter 23
I stared out of the sliding glass doors that led out to my lanai, sipping a cup of coffee. I inhaled the sweet scent as I watched the palm trees sway in the summer breeze. I needed to blow off some steam. Running was the best option but out of the question in the blazing sun and humid air. Even early in the morning, the humidity outside was enough to make your hair instantly frizz and your skin damp within seconds.
I tapped my coffee cup with my finger and weighed my options. Pass out from running outside or head to the gym and possibly run into Michael. Why can’t my life be simple anymore?
A pounding on the door made me jump and spill my coffee.
“Fuck,” I muttered, wiping my hands on a napkin. Nothing like a peaceful morning ruined by a Mormon searching for a new convert.
I trudged to the door, annoyed with the interruption. Instead of a gaggle of religious people, Michael stood there with a package tucked under his arm, looking really pissed off when I opened it.
My heart hammered wanting to burst through my chest.
“Mia,” he said, holding the doorframe.
“What do you want, Michael? Haven’t I made it clear that I don’t want to see you?”
He closed his eyes, letting go of the doorframe and taking a step forward. “I can’t let you shut me out.” He shook his head as he opened his eyes.
“It’s not your decision to make.” Crossing my arms, I didn’t let a bit of weakness show through. That’s the problem with men – they want control and I wasn’t used to giving it up.
“Fucking hell,” he muttered as the hardness in his face melted away. “I need to talk to you.”
I didn’t move. “We’re talking. Say what you need to say and go.”
I had to stay strong when all I wanted to do was jump in his arms and make up. I wanted to erase the last week. I needed to be strong. I’d never play second fiddle to anyone.
“Can’t I come in?” He straightened, taking another step forward.
I held out my arm, stopping him. “Here will do.”
He balled his hands into fists as he stared at his feet. “First, Tammy is not pregnant. I had that confirmed yesterday by a doctor.” He paused.
I took that opportunity to jump in. “That’s lucky for you. I ran into Tammy yesterday and she told me you two were going to get an ultrasound.” His eyes widened as I spoke. “I was also told that you’re very much back together and happier than ever.”
“We are not back together. I spent yesterday afternoon filing a restraining order against her.” My stomach filled with butterflies as he reached to touch my arm, but he pulled away at the last second. “I needed her to trust me to prove she wasn’t carrying my baby. She’s nothing to me,” he pleaded with me.
“Are you so careless with women, Michael? We’re here to be used.”
He stiffened and glared at me. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? I’ve never used you. I did nothing to make you feel that way, Mia.”
“I felt dirty in the hallway of the hospital when Tammy flashed her ring in my face. I felt used and worthless. No one has ever made me feel that way.” I choked back the tears that wanted to escape. “I’ve never allowed anyone to make me feel that way until you came into my life.” Shaking my head, my shoulders fell.
“Mia, sweetheart,” he said tenderly. He touched my arm and the electricity passed between us. The snap, crackle, pop. The spark hadn’t died no matter how hard I tried to smother it.
“Tammy’s not in my life. I never promised her a relationship or a forever and I never asked the crazy woman to marry me. You have to believe me.” He rested his hand against my cheek and I wanted to melt into his touch, but I didn’t.
“I want to, Michael. I really do.” I looked into his soft caramel eyes and felt his sorrow. It was like a punch to the gut. “How do I know it’s really over between the two of you?”
“My lawyer is taking care of it.”
“Sometimes the law can’t stop someone like her. It’s a can of worms I’m not sure I can handle right now. I have enough shit happening in my life without looking over my shoulder all the time.”
“I’ll protect you.” He smiled.
It was megawatt and amazing. It sent a thrill through me that he wanted me so badly, but could I willingly lay myself out for this man?
He grabbed my chin, bringing my eyes to his. “Don’t throw what we have away, Mia. There’s something that brought us together. I feel like I’ve known you forever and I don’t want to be without that feeling. I can’t lose you.”
I felt at home in his arms and truly at peace when he entered my life. I closed my eyes to break the connection. The enormity of the moment sunk in as I opened them. “I don’t know,” I said, staring at his chest. He’d be able to see my vulnerability if I looked at him.
“How can you deny what’s between us, Mia?” His soft lips touched mine and I couldn’t pull away. I leaned into him, inhaling the soft musky scent that was purely Michael. “We have something here that can’t be denied,” he said against my lips.
“Michael.” Before I could finish the statement, his mouth enveloped mine effectively shutting me up.
He wrapped his arms around me. The touch that I had missed for days almost brought me to my knees. Pushing me into the house, he kicked the door closed behind us. I couldn’t deny him any longer. I couldn’t lie to myself and say what we had wasn’t magical in some way.
I pulled away and stared into his eyes. “Only me?” I asked. I needed the affirmation that I was it for him. I wouldn’t be in competition with anyone else for his love and affection. I’d never let myself be that girl.
“No one else,” he said before capturing my mouth.
The sound of his breath as he devoured my lips sent an electric pulse through my body. I loved everything about this man down to the small noises he made when we kissed.
“I’m scared, Michael,” I whispered as he broke the kiss.
“Of what?”
“You.” I sucked in a breath.
He held me at arm’s length. “Mia,” he said, lifting my chin. “I won’t break your heart. For the first time in my life, I’ve found something worth fighting for, someone more important than me.” His eyes searched mine. “Give me a chance to prove it. I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”
“How do I know I can trust you? I want to believe you, but what if I was the other woman, Michael. I can’t just pretend like nothing happened without knowing for sure.” I stared into his eyes.
“I have proof. I brought this to show you.” He held out the large brown envelope.
“Was is it?” I asked, not sure I wanted to open it.
“Just look. I want you to see Tammy for who she really is. My statement to the police is in there along with evidence and screen shots of her text messages. She never mentioned a baby, Mia. She lied and tried to trap me.” He pushed the envelope forward into my hands.
I walked to the couch and set it on the coffee table. Michael sat next to me, not speaking, as he watched me. I removed the contents one by one. A book and a couple sheets on paper were inside. Setting the book on the table I grabbed the papers and flipped through them.
I read the text messages first paying close attention to the timestamp. Not one said anything about a baby, just Tammy begging him to come back to her. The messages went from pleading to downright mean and threatening. The conversation was entirely one sided. They were all from before we met. He had ended it with her. I wasn’t the other woman.
“What’s this?” I asked. holding the black book in my hand.
“Take a look. It’s an eye opener for sure. Tammy made it.”
I nodded, opening the cover to reveal the first page. It read Michael & Tammy Gallo with a picture of them on their wedding day. Only it wasn’t them. I started laughing.
“I told ya,” he said, running his fingers across my hand.
“No, it’s just...” I tried to stop laughing. “She showed me a picture like this but an engagement photo.”
“Just great.” He reached for the book.
I batted his hand away. “I’m not done,” I said, as I turned the page.
“Knock yourself out. It gets more bizarre the deeper you go.” He leaned back and relaxed.
The engagement photo she showed me was next, followed by a series of wedding shots. When I came to a page filled with children I stopped and the laughter I fought so hard to stop bubbled to the surface.
“Madelyn Gallo,” I said, still laughing as tears formed in my eyes.
“Don’t forget about Mason,” he said sitting up. “She picked out all the names.” He smiled.
“She’s seriously a whack job.” I shook my head still stunned by her audacity. “Didn’t you know she was this nuts before you slept with her?”
“We were never a couple. I didn’t figure it out until I found the book. I walked out of her house that day and never looked back.” He rubbed my arm and grabbed my chin. “Mia, I never lied to you. Not about Tammy or anything.”
I searched his eyes. With all the information and the sincerity on his face, I knew he spoke the truth. “I believe you, Michael.”
“About damn time,” he said, moving to kiss me.
“I’m still mad at you,” I mumbled against his lips.
Pulling away, he rested his forehead against mine. “Take it out on me in the bed, Mia. I can’t wait another minute to feel you under me.”
“Wait,” I said, pushing him away.
His smile evaporated. “What?”
“I said I believed you, not that I’d have sex with you.” I shook my head and tried to make the statement believable. All I wanted to do was make love to the man and fall asleep in his arms. I missed his body against mine as I slept.
He gave me a cocky grin, the one that I loved. “Are you mine, Mia?” he asked, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“I haven’t decided,” I lied. There was nothing that I wanted more than to be his.
“Let me help you with that decision,” he laughed, as he picked me up and hoisted me over his shoulder.
I laughed, swatting his ass so hard my hand stung.
“That’s it baby, I like it rough,” he chuckled as he walked toward my bedroom.
I bounced on his back, biting his shoulder blade, smacking him again.
“Damn,” he said as he spanked my ass twice, making me yelp. “I’d say we both have some emotions that needs to come out. I’m going to fuck every bit of pissed off out of you and show you who you belong to.”
“I wanna see you try,” I said, giggling.
He threw me on the bed and all the air left my lungs as I hit the firm mattress with a bounce. He looked large and imposing standing at the foot of my bed. His shoulders were broad and the muscles in his neck were corded tightly. The t-shirt stretched across his torso and looked like it would rip with the slightest movement. His brown hair lay across his forehead in a mess. He looked delicious and more handsome than ever.
“I’m up for a challenge,” he said with a smile, as he removed his t-shirt.
Fuck, he really was beautiful. I sat up on my elbows and watched him undress. Every movement made his muscles stretched and contracted. He wasn’t wasting a moment or doing a seductive strip tease. I needed to feel him.
This wouldn’t be love making or rekindling – this was anger banging.
He pushed me back against the bed, opening the tie of my robe. He pushed it open exposing my nightie. “Still mad?” he asked, his hands gliding across the cool silk on my abdomen.
“Yes.” Damn, my voice wasn’t strong. I knew he didn’t hear the conviction behind my words.
He sat on his knees, grabbing the material with both hands. His palms slid effortlessly against the smooth nightie. His hands stopped just under my breasts before making the journey back down to my bare thighs. He grabbed the bottom of the nightie, pulling it from the middle and tore it in half.
“Michael,” I yelled. The air conditioning caressed my skin and goose bumps covered my flesh.
He laughed. “Quicker this way.”
“I could’ve just taken it off, for fuck's sake.”
“That was for fuck's sake, Mia. I’m sick of waiting. It’s been days since I’ve been inside you.”
I hit him square in the chest as he leaned over my body. Why do men have to destroy shit in the name of passion?
“Oh, yeah. Just like that. I like a little fight in you.” His eyes turned dark.
“I hate you.” I glared at him.
“No you don’t,” he said, as his mouth clamped down on my nipple.
I arched my back, crying out in ecstasy.
He moaned against my trapped breast causing a vibration to skate across my skin. My core to pulsated as I pushed him. “Don’t fight it, you know you want it, Doc.”
I sighed, lying back to enjoy the feel of his lips on my skin, because I did want it. I ran my fingers through his hair before gripping it tightly in my fists. I held his mouth in place as tiny shocks shot through my body. The familiar ache between my legs became almost unbearable. I dug my heels into his ass and ground myself against him.
He tried to lift his head, but I pushed it harder against my chest, almost smothering him. I could feel his laughter against my torso as his body shook in my grasp. “Put your cock in me,” I said, releasing my heels, to give him the ability to move his lower half. I felt powerful even if it was a roués. He could over power me in a minute, but he let me play the game.
His lips popped off my skin and he looked into my eyes. “Don’t you want to kiss a little first?”
“This isn’t love making, Michael. You’re fucking me. Put it in or get the fuck out.” I sounded harsh and strong and it sent a thrill through me.
His eyebrows shot up, a small smirk his lips. “That’s fuckin’ hot, Doc.”
“Shut the fuck up and do it.” I kicked him in the ass.
“I love when you talk dirty to me. It makes me rock fuckin’ hard,” he said, as he reached down and fisted his cock before rubbing it against me.
“Stop!” I yelled, frozen in place. “Get a condom from my nightstand.”
“‘Put it in. Stop. Any other commands?” he asked, as he reached for the drawer, to grab a condom.
“You forgot shut the fuck up.” I laughed. I don’t know what got into me, but I liked it.
“Kinda rough on me, aren’t you?” he asked, as he unrolled the condom, paying careful attention to his piercings.
“I’m just getting started, big boy.”
“You just made my balls tingle,” he said, as he nestled between my legs. Hooking his arms under my thighs, he pulled my body to his. “Let’s get one thing straight, Doc, I’m in charge here,” he said as he stroked the tip of his shaft against me. “This is my pussy.” He smacked my clit with the head.
“I don’t see your name on it,” I said, winded from the sting.
“It will be, but for now, possession is nine-tenths of the law,” he said, as he rammed his cock into me in one quick thrust.
My back arched as he pulled out and pushed back in with greater force. I wouldn’t have described him as gentle the other times we’d been together, but this was rough and raw.
With the next thrust I smacked him in the face. He flinched, stopping to stare at me through slit eyes. “What the fuck was that for?”
“What you put me through.”
His eyes searched mine for a moment before he pounded into me again.
I smacked him harder but this time he didn’t flinch. “For not being straight with me,” I said quickly before he could ask.
His eyes grew dark as his mouth set in a firm line. He pummeled me and I swung again, but he captured my hand. “You got two free shots, no more.” Leaning forward with my wrists in his grasp, he held them above my head.
I fought to free myself, bucking against him. His muscles contracted with each thrust and the sight of him alone could have me on edge. I bit my lip to quiet the moans that I wasn’t ready to give to him.
Beads of sweat formed across his skin as he pounded into me.
He released my hands and I grabbed his biceps, curling my fingers around the thick muscles. Using my grip to push myself against him, I met his thrusts, our bodies slamming against each other. My body bounced off him and the pressure of his cock hitting my depths drove me closer to the brink.
Our bodies collided, the impact hard enough to cause the headboard to hit the wall with a loud thud. I planted my feet into the mattress, using them to steady myself as I continued to push into him. It only took a few more thrust before my body tightened and I spiraled into the most glorious orgasm of my life.
It wasn’t the body-tingling orgasm that I’d experienced. This was earth shattering – life changing, no one else would ever compare.
Colors burst behind my eyelids as I rode the wave of ecstasy until I gasped for air through blurry eyes.
Michael wrapped his arms around me, cradling me against his chest as he cried out in his own rapture. He twitched and his body shook in waves.
Releasing my body from his arms, he held himself above me. “Jesus Christ,” he huffed out before shaking his head. “That was amazing. Fuck, I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
I didn’t reply. My mind was muddled from the bliss it had just experienced. He rested his forehead against mine; his harsh breath skidded across my skin. “Getting you pissed off has its advantages.”
Not in a million years did I think we’d be in this situation when I sat there staring out the window sipping my coffee. I figured I was through with Michael Gallo, but after a kiss and mind-blowing sex, the craving was back worse than ever.
My vision blurred as I thought about all we’d been through the last couple of days. I didn’t think the Tammy situation was over, but Michael said he’d handle her. I had no doubt in his abilities, but her craziness couldn’t be planned for. She was the most dangerous form of opponent.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, as he turned over stretching out across the bed. He slid his hand under my body pulling me to him.
“I don’t know what to think.” I snuggled into him and let the tears flow.
“Hey, hey. Don’t cry. I know it was good, but I’ve never brought a girl to tears before.”
“You ass,” I said, smacking his chest. “I’m scared, Michael.”
“Of what?”
“You, Tammy, this,” I said, waving my hand over his body.
“Don’t worry about Tammy. She’s being dealt with. Don’t be scared of me or us. We got off track, thrown off by a person nuttier than a Snickers bar.”
I bit my lip to stifle a laugh. “You have such a way with words.” I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I laughed and buried my face in his side.
“Well, how would you describe her?”
I looked up at him and the tears of worry turned to those of uncontrollable laughter. “You hit the nail right on the head.”
“That’s enough about her. Let me just enjoy the feel of you in my arms. No more talking, Doc.”
I snuggled into his side and closed my eyes. I’ve never slept so contently as I had when I was in his arms. Closing my eyes, I let his warmth and steady breathing lull me to sleep.