Capitolo 8 :: 8

Pubblicato: 19-09-05 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 05-04-06

Commenti: Mick is back! Mick is back! And... well, read and find out! Kisses, Mojca P.S.: Thank you again, Tasska. :*

Capitolo: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Mick Angel sauntered across the bookstore toward his girlfriend. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Ghastly pale, trembling like a leaf, a hand at her throat in an almost protective gesture. Silent tears ran from her wide opened eyes.  

Cory watched him, her vision blurred by tears. Was it possible? Or was she dreaming? »Bridget…«  

»You’re not hallucinating, Cor. I see him, too, « her friend whispered, taking a few steps back as Mick reached them.  

»Hey, honey, « he murmured with a smile.  

»Mick? « Her voice shook.  

He brushed at a tear with his thumb. »Baby, don’t cry. I’m here. I’m real. «  

The barriers fell.  

Cory threw her arms around his neck, burrowing her tear-streaked face against his throat, spasms shaking her slender body, sobs coming out of her throat in strangled gasps.  

Mick’s arms came around her waist, clutching her to him, squeezing his eyes shut against the tingling tears threatening to spill. »God, I missed you, « he murmured hoarsely. »Please, baby, don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart, Cory. «  

»I… I thought you were dead, « she murmured shakily between sobs, her arms clutching at his neck.  

»Bridget…«  

She nodded. »I’ll wrap this up. Take her out of here. «  

Murmuring soothingly, Mick curved an arm under Cory’s knees, lifting her off the floor, cradled safely in his embrace. With her face still hidden against his throat, he carried her out, into the blazing Californian heat, with people gawking after them.  

They were curled up in a swing on the veranda of Cory’s rented beach house.  

She’s finally calmed down enough to stop crying and clutching at him, not that he has been complaining about that arrangement.  

Mick smiled, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. She let them grew in the time they were separated. The ends now slightly caressed her shoulders. He would never tell her, but she looked cuter with her hair cropped short.  

»So…« Cory took a sip of lemonade. »Care to explain just what happened? «  

He scratched the back of his head. There was no chance in hell of telling her the truth. »I was in a plane crash. «  

»Yes, I got that part. « She turned fully to look at him. »I also got the part of there no being any survivors. « Her lower lip wobbled again. She bit down hard on it. »I mourned you, Mick. «  

»I’m sorry, « he whispered, caressing her cheek. »I’m so sorry, baby. I’ve been injured. «  

»Why didn’t anyone contact me? «  

»They tried, Cor. « He smiled sheepishly. »I guess Bridget is quite a watchdog. Saeko almost lost her hearing with the insults. «  

Cory started. »Saeko? «  

Mick winked. »Just a friend, nothing more. Don’t get jealous. «  

Her laugh held a nervous undertone.  

»I was pretty messed up…«  

Her hazel eyes snapped fire. »What about the nurses at the hospital. They could have thought of calling me. «  

»I wasn’t at the hospital. «  

»What?! « She smacked her lemonade glass on the small table. »You were ‘pretty messed up’ and you didn’t go to the hospital?! What were people thinking?! «  

Mick winced at her shrill tone. It was difficult thinking up a plausible lie while she kept shrieking. »Cory, calm down. I was in good hands. «  

»Oh yeah? « She stood, arms akimbo. »Enlighten me. «  

»My friend – the one I was visiting – knows a great doctor…«  

She calmed a little. »Oh, so he took you to a private clinic? «  

»S-something like that. « He breathed a sigh of relief. »Yeah. «  

Her icy stare melted. »So, this Saeko gal works in that clinic. «  

»Uhm. « He couldn’t tell her Saeko was a Detective, could he? Imagine the questions that would arise. »Yeah? «  

»Thank God, « she muttered.  

His eyes narrowed. »What was that? «  

She looked trapped for a microsecond. »Oh, nothing. «  

»Cory? «  

Grabbing his arm, she dragged him down the three steps. »C’mon, I love the sunsets here. Watch it with me? «  

She was distracting him; he would have to be a ninny not to know that. The question was why. I hate it that you’re still keeping secrets from me, Cory.  

Chuckling he berated himself. He was keeping secrets from her, too. But he was doing that to protect her.  

He’s put the past behind him. This time for good. No more killing, no more assassinations, no more blood. He was moving on. With her at his side.  

Lifting a blond eyebrow, he watched her roll her pant legs up over her knees, wadding into the sea, spreading her arms wide as the setting sun bathed her body in a golden aura. She looked magnificent. Like a goddess stepping from the sea to walk among mere mortals. Her red hair almost ablaze, the perfect contours of her body clearly outlined through her thin white shirt.  

His blood roaring in his ears, his body tightening to the point of pain, he prowled behind her, burying his lips against her neck, his hands gripping her hips, pulling her bottom back against his straining erection.  

»I missed you so much, « she mewled, curving an arm behind her, her fingers tunneling in his hair.  

The airy, white curtains were billowing in the soft, salty smelling breeze.  

The moon spilled its silvery glow on the rumpled bed where two intertwined bodies, skin covered by a thick sheen of sweat, moved together in a perfect rhythm.  

Keeping her fisted hands secure on the bed above her head, feeling her climax approaching, Mick slowly thrust into her, watching the pleasure blossoming on her beautiful face. Her eyes firmly shut, her mouth forming a perfect ‘o’, Cory moaned his name, trying to free her hands.  

»That’s it, baby, « her murmured hoarsely. »Come for me. «  

Two more deep thrusts and she screamed, nearly coming off the bed, her head thrown back in ecstasy.  

Gritting his teeth, he let go of her wrists, grabbed her hips, fingers biting into her ivory skin, burrowing himself to the hilt. With a roar, he followed her into oblivion.  

Washington D.C., three weeks later  

»Bridget, do you think Mick’s tiring of me? «  

The two best friends were sipping their lattes at a Starbucks, reading the newest edition of the Post.  

Bridget almost choked. »Are you bonkers? He’s totally crazy about you. «  

Cory sighed, gazing out the window at the crowd.  

»Okay, girlfriend, « Bridget rolled the paper. »Spill. «  

»There’s nothing to spill. He’s been distant lately. Secretive. «  

»Do you think it’s another woman? «  

»I don’t know. « Cory leaned her chin on her hand. »I really don’t, B. «  

»Ask him, « her friend helpfully supplied. Her eyes widened. »Noooo, way better idea just popped up. Why don’t we follow him? You know, when he goes out, we put on our trench coats and sunglasses, tailing him to this mystery woman. «  

»I don’t know if he has a mistress, Bridget. I’m just saying he’s different, that’s all. «  

»Men don’t go all different for nothing, babe. It has to be big. Major thing, you know. «  

Cory muttered something incomprehensible. It would figure her next love would be as bad as her first. A skirt-chaser. She had the worst taste in men. Sheesh!  

Bridget nudged her with her foot. »C’mon, Corster, you know you want to. « She wiggled her finger in front of the other’s nose. »Let’s go all Holmes on him. «  

Cory sighed.  

Bridget grinned.  

It took two days before Mick went on ‘the prowl’. The two girls, wearing matching trench coats and Audrey-Hepburn-styled sunglasses, followed him, in their rented inconspicuous car, all the way to Maryland, where they lost him in traffic.  

»Damn, « Bridget snarled, hitting the dashboard. »He’s gone. «  

»What is he doing in Maryland? « Cory whispered, her knuckles turning white as her hands tightened on the steering wheel.  

»The bastard has a wife. And probably a bunch of kids, too. The next time I see him, I’ll cut his jewels off, « her friend spat vehemently. »The prick! «  

»Whoa, « Cory patted her knee. »Don’t jump to conclusions. Maybe he’s working. «  

»Yeah, some leggy blonde, probably. «  

Les Halles De Paris, the next evening  

Cory looked at her surroundings. The beautiful French restaurant was lit by candlelight only. The soft classical music wafted down from carefully hidden speakers. Couples enjoyed quiet conversations, gazing at each other lovingly. Romance permeated the air.  

»How did you manage to get a reservation? « she whispered to Mick. The place was rumored to be booked years in advance.  

»I know a guy, « came his whispered retort.  

»Bonsoir, Angel, « a quiet voice greeted.  

Mick turned. »Bonsoir, Pierre. «  

»Mademoiselle, « the maitre d’hôtel bowed slightly, turning to Mick. »Alors, c'est elle? O là là, Mick, elle est très belle. Une vraie merveille. «  

»Merci beaucoup, Pierre, « Cory smiled.  

»You speak my language? Bravo! Don’t let her out of your sight, Mick. «  

»I won’t. «  

They were sipping champagne, eating crème brulée, when Cory finally decided to grab the bull by its balls. So to speak.  

»Mick…«  

He looked at her over the brim of his glass.  

»Do you have anything to tell me? «  

Mick swallowed his champagne. How did she know? Did Luke blab out everything? If so, he was going to gut him the first chance he got.  

»What do you mean? « He asked nonchalantly.  

Her eyes turned sad. »Is there someone else? «  

This time he did choke. »What? Where did you get a crazy idea like that? «  

»You’ve been distant lately. Didn’t talk to me… I don’t know what to think…« She paused. »And yesterday you went to Maryland…«  

»You’ve been following me? « How could he not have noticed her?  

»Bridget and I. « She stared at the table. »It was her idea. And I somehow accepted. «  

»You could have asked, baby, « he murmured.  

She was silent, still not daring to raise her eyes.  

Mick stood, walking around the table, crouching by her side, lifting her chin. »Do you want to know why I went to Maryland yesterday? « He reached into his jacket pocket. »I went to pick up this. «  

Cory stared wide-eyed at his hand. He held a small, black velvet box.  

»Open it, « he purred, smiling slightly.  

She did. What she found inside took her breath away. A beautiful white gold band with a heart shaped pink diamond blinked up at her.  

Looking at Mick, she found him on his knees.  

»Cory, « he took her hand. »I know I’m not a perfect, unblemished man. I did things in my life I wouldn’t want you to know of. I have my flaws and I admit I’m sometimes difficult to live with. But I love you. I know it’s not much, but if you say ‘yes’, you’ll make me the happiest man on this planet. « He swallowed past the lump in his throat. »Cory McGuire, would you marry me? «  

Cory blinked, tears stinging her eyes. She blinked again, staring hard into his sky-blue eyes. She has been wrong. He was different from ‘him’. Mick would never make her suffer with his indifference, with his insults and careless words.  

Taking a deep breath, she decided it was past time to move on. ‘He’ wouldn’t come get her. ‘He’ didn’t care about her, so it was time she forgot those girly dreams and fantasies and stop moping after ‘him’. It was over. Life moved on. She has moved on.  

»Yes. « 

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