STORY EXCERPT

Mia looked forward to Sundays because she knew she’d see them and they would be nice to her. They wouldn’t disparage her or make snide comments like some of the town’s folk. They would talk to her like they were her friends. Mia shook her head at the stupid notion that these people would ever, could ever, be her friends. Even if they did want to be her friends, Donnie would change their minds quickly, just as he had with everyone else that had tried to befriend her over the years.

Mia readied the tray of coffee and carried it to their table. As she began handing out the cups, Rainne asked her, “When are you going to finally get that cast removed? It seems like you’ve had it on forever.”

Mia felt herself blush as she stared down at the white plaster cast on her arm. It did seem like she had it on forever, nine weeks forever. “In a few more weeks.” She paused and breathed deeply, trying to slow her heart rate down. She was a terrible liar and she knew it. “I re-broke it when I fell down some stairs.”

They all stared at her quietly. Mia felt her blush deepen until she was sure that her hair was going to burst into flames. Pulling out her note pad, she stammered. “W–what can I get you guys?”

Before anyone could order breakfast, Rainne thrust a section of newspaper at her. “Before I forget.”

Mia smiled gleefully. Rainne never forgot to bring her the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. “Thank you, Mrs. Decker.”

* * * *

Able ate his breakfast in silence, suddenly incensed by something he couldn’t put his finger on. The breakfast was good, Mia was great. He hadn’t had to ask for a thing when she brought the food. She was always quick and precise. She always remembered what he liked and how he liked it. He told himself that it wasn’t the fact that she had lied about how she re-broke her arm. That couldn’t be it. I barely even know her. Not that he didn’t want to change that, there was something about her that drew him. He wanted to get to know her, but hitting on your waitress was pathetic in his opinion. She was working and that just wasn’t the environment that he wanted to get to know her in, but he had never found an opportunity to talk to her outside of this place. He rarely ever saw her in town and when he did she had two little girls with her. His parents had taught him that there was a time and place for everything, it just never seemed to be the right time to talk to her.

He was a very even-keeled person, rarely was he angry or happy, he was just even. Out of nowhere he had found himself perturbed, making him angrier. Strange.

He watched Mia as she worked. She was like a whirlwind. She spun here and whirled there, very efficient. Even her bulky cast didn’t slow her down a bit. She never slowed down, no matter how badly she hurt herself. She was always sporting a cast, black eye, or a limp. He had often wondered that maybe if she slowed down a bit, she wouldn’t hurt herself as much. She never balked at the rude customers, just smiled and carried on. He and the guys liked this place so much. James’s wife, Rainne, had forced them to start having Sunday breakfast together a couple of years ago. At first the team had acted like it was a form of torture, but now it was just normal, comforting somehow. They felt that they had seen enough of each other at work. The team did high-end security, everything from heads of state to the security on Rainne’s tours with her band or in some cases, people that just needed their help. That’s how James and Rainne had met along with Riley and his wife Abby. Rainne had claimed that they were a family and should act as such, so here they were, at Sal’s diner. It had good food and great service, but for him it was Mia. He could get eggs anywhere. It was Mia, he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. He saw through her frumpy appearance, the way she seemed to make herself ugly on purpose, but to him she was beautiful. She was smart too, always doing her crossword puzzles or reading a book. She did the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen. Who does that?

ADULT EXCERPT

Mia was only half-aware of what was going on, for the first time in her life she felt sated, warm, and so sleepy. She knew what she had just done with Able. It bothered her that she didn’t care, not about her marriage—or lack thereof—to Donnie, and not about the can of worms she just opened with Able. She wanted him for as long as he would have her. She wanted this for herself, for just once to be selfish and think about her needs, her wants. The guilt she felt as a mother almost floored her, but she wanted to stay here in Able’s strong arms forever so badly, it was a physical ache. She wanted to feel his large body pressed tightly against her, feeling safer than she had ever felt, forever. Sighing deeply, she knew that it was only a dream, she had responsibilities. No one could keep the outside world away forever, not even Able. Her girls came first. Mia knew her own happiness would have to wait. Able wasn’t hers to keep and never would be.

Snapped out of her thoughts, Mia realized that her blouse was being loosened. “Able!” The need to cover up was imperative, although she noted that it shouldn’t be, not after what they had just done on the couch.

His low, seductive chuckle sounded in her ear. “Relax, Mia.” Able’s large hands brushed aside the edges of her borrowed blouse and moved to unhook her bra. The clasp that sat in between her breasts opened easily before his hands massaged her. The warmth from his body soaked into her chest and she couldn’t hold back her moan as she leaned forward and silently begged for more. “That’s it.”

Her world tilted as Able shifted and before Mia knew which way she was going, her gaze was tilted toward the ceiling. “Able, what are you doing?” Her body was lying on top of his with the large expanse of his chest against her back.

“Making you come again.” The small statement was almost enough to push her over the edge as memories of her previous orgasm sent a thrill through her system.

Wrenching up her skirt, Able positioned her legs on the outside of his. As he opened her with his thighs, she felt her face burn with embarrassment from being so exposed. All thought process ceased as his fingers delved into the thick juices of her pussy, found her clit, and played it like a song. Her back arched violently as an orgasm came from out of nowhere and swarmed her body in a deliciously vicious attack.

She floated down sweetly as his hands roamed her body freely, the afterglow settling over her like a blanket. His large, callused hand plucked her nipples, making them achy and hard as he spread her wetness with his other.

Her gasp filled the quiet room as he entered her in one swift, firm motion. Burying himself inside her, she erupted around his huge cock again.

“Just like that.” Able grasped her hips and held her in place for his delicious assault. His voice was a gruff chant in her ear. “I want more, Mia. I want it all.”

Mia was helpless against his strength and the feel of him separating her tender tissue. The feel of him enveloping her was indescribable. Nothing had ever felt so good, so right. This is where she belonged, in his arms. “Take it all, Able. It’s yours.” Pivoting her hips so that he could get deeper, Mia relaxed her muscles and gave herself to him.

Able seemed to feel her surrender and his pace quickened until he was slamming into her. Wet suckling noises filled the air amid their moans as she was lost in the never-ending orgasmic tsunami that threatened to drown her.

He stiffened as her orgasm reached the pinnacle of bliss. Her screams smothered everything else as she felt him overflow her with his essence.

Able rolled her onto their sides as he gently stroked her down from her high. “That’s it, baby. So good.” His sweet crooning in her ear sent a shiver through her body as her muscles unwound and relaxed under his gentle touches. She could feel him inside her, shrinking slightly. Her body protested as he withdrew from her but didn’t yet release her from his grasp. He seemed content to just hold her, stroke her. She savored his body against her own, and the sweet way he seemed to be caring for her made her want to cry.