Out For Justice (18 page)

Karen and Mike finished the rest of their dinner in between talking about current events and making each other laugh. As Karen carried the dirty dishes into the kitchen and Mike carried their wine glasses into the living room, she reflected on the evening so far. She’d never felt so close so quickly to someone before. She felt perfectly at ease with Mike as if she’d known him her whole life. His easygoing attitude and humor gave her a warm feeling. Never had she felt so compatible with one person.

After loading the dishwasher, Karen made her way back to the living room. Mike motioned for her to sit next to him on the sofa. She picked up her glass of wine and cuddled up next to him, tucking her feet underneath her.

Taking a sip of wine, Karen sighed and laid a hand on Mike’s thigh. “I’m glad you could make it tonight.”

With his arm around Karen’s shoulder, Mike stroked her bare arm. “Yeah. Me too.”

“Hand me that remote on the table, will you?”

Mike leaned over to reach it. “This one?”

“Yeah.” Karen took the remote and pushed a few buttons. Soft music filled the room from discreetly placed surround sound speakers.

“Nice,” Mike said with approval in his voice.

“Thanks. I had the system put in when the townhouse was built.” Karen leaned her head back into the crook of Mike’s arm. “This place is my sanctuary away from the drama and tragedy that is prevalent with our business.”

“I understand. I feel the same way about my place.”

“It’s important to have a place to go. To get away from work.” Karen rubbed her hand along Mike’s thigh. “Sometimes it’s just as important to have someone to go to when you want to get away from work.”

Mike held Karen close. “I think that’s true too.” He leaned his head over and kissed her on the forehead.

Karen tilted her head up so that she could look at Mike. “I’m glad you think so.”

Mike placed a hand under Karen’s chin and brought his lips down upon hers. His kiss started out softly and slowly, with gentle touches. Karen turned into Mike’s arms and stretched her body across his. She kissed Mike back, searching and seeking unspoken questions with her lips. He answered back, turning the kiss harder and more ardent. His hands roamed her body, touching her, feeling her soft curves. Karen ached to have Mike touch her completely. She sighed with relief when his hands found the edge of her tank top and moved inside to touch her skin. His fingers caressed her smooth skin, stroking back and forth along her waist and up further until they reached her breasts.

Karen’s hands ached to touch Mike. She sought out the point where his shirt tucked into his jeans and pulled until the hem of the shirt broke free. Eagerly, she ran her hands across his hard, flat stomach and up towards his solid chest. Her fingernails lightly scraped through the curled hair.

They twisted and turned about on the sofa, each trying to get a better position to touch the other. “Wait, wait.” Karen gasped for air as she pushed herself to a sitting position. “Why are we struggling with this out here when I’ve got a perfectly good bed going to waste?”

“Makes sense to me.” Mike stood up and helped her to her feet. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms about her. As she walked, Mike followed closely behind. In seconds, they were in Karen’s bedroom.

She untangled herself from Mike’s arms and reached for the lace cover on her bed. “Let me pull the covers down.”

Mike reached for the button on his jeans. “On or off?”

Karen looked back at him. “Definitely off.”

Mike grinned. “Then they’re coming off.” Kicking off his shoes, he hurriedly unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans and jerked them down his legs. Balancing on one foot, he pulled out one leg, and then the other then removed his socks.

Karen crossed her arms in front of herself and grabbed the hem of her tank top. “How about it? On or off?”

“Definitely off. But wait. Let me do it.”

Karen stood quietly and watched as Mike unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. He added it to the pile of clothes he compiled on the floor of Karen’s bedroom. Finished, he walked naked to Karen and tugged at her top. Carefully he lifted it over her head and tossed it aside.

Next, he untied the string at the top of her lounging pants and lowered them down her legs kneeling in front of her.

Using Mike’s shoulders to help her balance, Karen lifted one leg then the other out of her pants.

As he stood, Mike let one of his hands smooth their way up Karen’s leg, across her thigh, and settle over her panty-clad mound. “These have to come off too.”

Karen hooked a finger in each side of her panties, pulled them down to her hips, and looked at Mike while batting her eyelashes. “These?”

Mike’s voice grew rough with desire. “Those.”

Planting a quick kiss on Mike’s lips, Karen pushed her panties over her hips and kicked them off. She turned and crawled into her bed and beckoned Mike to follow her.

Mike paused for a moment, reaching down for his jeans. “I know we didn’t… I mean we kind of rushed into…” He pulled a condom out of his pocket and held it out to Karen. “We didn’t use any protection last night, and I don’t want to make that same mistake again tonight.”

“I don’t know if you remember, but I’m on the pill.”

“That takes care of pregnancy issues, but what about…?” Mike lowered his eyes and lifted his eyebrows.

“I haven’t had sex in three years. I think I’m free of any sexually transmitted diseases, unless you…ummm…might be…?

“Me? No.” Mike said hastily. “My last physical, I got a clean bill of health. And I haven’t had sex in a while either.”

Karen smiled and held out her arms. Dropping the condom, Mike slid into Karen’s arms and kissed her full on the mouth.

“Well, I’m glad that’s taken care of,” Karen said as she stroked Mike’s back.

“I had to ask.”

“I’m glad you did. Even if you blushed.”

“I didn’t blush!”

“Whatever you say.” Karen chuckled. “Although, you’re right. We should have had this conversation last night.”

“Conversation is over.” Mike grinned with a wicked look in his eye as he looked down at Karen. “Now it’s time for other things.” He kissed her quick. “Fun things.” He kissed her again. “Very fun things.”

Karen pushed at Mike’s shoulder and rolled him over onto his back. She balanced herself across his body. “Comfy?”

“Yes, why?”

“It’s my turn to have some fun, you just lay back there and relax and let me concentrate.” Karen trailed kisses from Mike’s jaw line, down his neck and across his chest.

 “Yes, ma’am.” Mike laid his head back on a ruffled pillow and grinned.

Karen ran her hands across Mike’s firm chest and tweaked his nipples. She pinched them lightly between her thumb and finger until they grew as hard as little pebbles. She flicked her tongue out and tasted one nipple and then the other, feeling their hardness with her lips.

She slid her body lower over Mike’s and continued to trail kisses down his chest, then his stomach, finally reaching his groin. His penis, large and heavy, pushed outward like a pointing arrow. She wrapped one hand around it, smiling as it quivered in her hand, sensitive to her touch.

Flicking out her tongue, she licked from one side to the other, amazed at how hard Mike was beneath the velvety softness of his skin. Karen took her time, licking then lightly blowing each spot with her warm breath.

Mike groaned deeply in response, reaching for Karen with his hands and running his fingers through her hair.

Mike’s response spurred Karen on to take Mike’s penis into her mouth, sucking at it lightly. His hardness filled her mouth. She breathed deep of his scent, filling her senses.

“Baby, you’ve got to stop,” Mike gasped, sucking in air to fill his lungs.

Karen shook her head.

Insistent, Mike pulled Karen up and lifted her onto his penis. His wetness found hers and he pressed deep inside of her. Filling her completely. Totally.

Karen moved up and down as she rode Mike’s body. The sensations built inside of her. She knew she was coming and she didn’t want to stop it. Giving herself over to the mounting emotions as she straddled Mike’s body, Karen let her head fall back. She closed her eyes and focused on the pleasures she was experiencing. A small voice inside of her wondered if Mike was feeling as much pleasure as she, and knew he was. Karen marveled at her heightened sensory perception. It was as if she and Mike were one being, sharing the same awareness.

She opened her eyes and looked down at Mike. He watched her with a thoughtful expression on his face. Trembling, she smiled. He smiled in return as he lifted his hips and thrust deep inside of her. His moves were slow and deliberate, his stroke sure. Karen matched his strokes, moving her body above his, meeting his thrust.

The tension started to build even more; she knew she was close. She arched her back, her movements quicker. Her hands spread across Mike’s chest, seeking, searching for a strong hold. Mike increased the rhythm, letting Karen set the pace. Faster and faster. A low growl built up in the back of her throat, breaking free. She gripped Mike’s shoulders, hanging on. In seconds, she was over the top, bursting into a million pinpricks of light as Mike thrust again and again as he exploded along with her. Their bodies covered with glistening, slick sweat, they fell into each other’s arms, gasping for air. Mike held Karen close, her chilled skin warmed by his arms and the rest of his body.

 It was several long minutes before Karen could stir herself to move. She slid along and over Mike’s body until she was lying beside him, her arm thrown across his chest. She waited for her breath to slow before she spoke. “We never did have dessert.”

Mike forced a laugh from his exhausted body. “What was dessert?”

“Strawberries. Fresh ones.”

“Strawberries? Mmmm, I like strawberries.”

“Well, then you just stay where you are and I’ll be right back.” Karen slid out of bed and reached for her robe. She belted it as she walked into the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out the chilled bowl of strawberries and grabbed a couple of napkins.

Returning to the bedroom, she handed Mike the bowl and napkins so that she could remove her robe and crawl back into bed.

“Hey, this is cold!” Mike exclaimed as he sat up in bed.

 “They’ve been in the refrigerator, silly.” Sitting cross-legged next to Mike, Karen picked up a strawberry and held it to his mouth so he could taste.

Mike chewed thoroughly, savoring the sweetness. “They are good.” He licked his lips and eyed the bowl with hunger. “How’d you get strawberries now? Isn’t picking season over here in Florida?”

Karen watched the expression of longing on Mike’s face and grinned. She picked up another strawberry held it out to him, and then popped it into her mouth instead. She laughed as she chewed. “The package said California. Guess they have a later season.”

 “That was not fair. I’m bigger than you. I should get twice as many berries.” Mike pushed out his lower lip to pout.

“You want to come between me and food? I don’t think so.”

“I should know better by now.”

Nodding her head, Karen said, “Yes, you’d better.” As a consolation, she picked a big strawberry from the bowl and let Mike eat it from her fingers. When he was finished, she wiped her hand on a napkin.

“You know,” Mike said thoughtfully, “I think these strawberries could be put to good use.”

Karen lifted her head and looked at him, “What do you mean?”

Mike carefully set the bowl aside. He picked one strawberry from the bowl and bit it in half. As he chewed one half he looked at the other half in his hand, then looked at Karen.

She eyed him with a wary look. “What are you going to do with that?”

Mike cocked his head and with a sly look grinned at Karen, “Want to find out?”

Karen’s breath caught in her throat. “I think so.”

He brought the strawberry to her breast and wiped strawberry juice gently across her nipple. The juice dripped only a little. Leaning over, he kissed and licked at her nipple until all the juice was washed away.

Karen shivered. “Now that’s a recipe you won’t find in Betty Crocker’s cookbook.”

Mike placed the other half of the strawberry into his mouth. “It’s my personal favorite.” He kissed Karen’s lips sharing the juices of the strawberry with her.

“I like how you share,” Karen said as she licked her lips.

“I’m really a friendly guy.”

“I’m beginning to see that. I like people who share.” Karen used her napkin to wipe a spot of juice from the corner of Mike’s mouth.

“Does that mean you like me?”

“Oh, that definitely means I like you.”

“Good, because I like you too.” Mike kissed her quickly on the mouth. “I’m never going to hear the end of this from Susan, though.”

Karen lifted her head. “Susan?” Biting her lip, she said, “She did push awful hard to get us together, didn’t she?”

“Yep. And, she’s quite proud of herself, as a matter of fact.” Mike chuckled tossing another strawberry into his mouth.

“Remind me to send her a thank you card.” Karen selected a berry from the bowl and bit into it. She chewed quickly when she saw Mike’s head moving closer to hers.

Mike leaned over and pressed his mouth to Karen’s juice stained lips. “Send one for me too.” He kissed her deeply and thoroughly.

When Mike lifted his head, Karen gasped for air. This man literally took her breath away. How could one man make her life so perfect and turn it upside down at the same time?

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sunday passed with Kelly walking on eggshells around Mark and keeping the girls entertained so that they didn’t bother him. It was one of the longest days she’d ever experienced. Monday couldn’t have come soon enough, although it too dragged by.

She checked her watch for what must have been the hundredth time. She couldn’t believe how slow the day was going. And just to make her even more nervous, the day started out cloudy and gray with a threat of rain. She’d already sent up a dozen prayers that Mark wouldn’t come home early from work today.

She managed to get the girls off to school and Mark his breakfast with minimal trouble. But she’d failed miserably at trying to stay out of Mark’s reach. Touching her swollen cheek, she winced a bit at the sting of pain. His temper had been short as soon as he saw the clouds in the sky.

If she had any doubts about not leaving today, her mind was definitely made up, thanks to the latest damage Mark inflicted. Her face hadn’t healed from the last time he’d hit her, so this new bruise was in addition to the others on her face.

Kelly paced the house, looking to make sure everything was in order. She’d already thrown up twice and didn’t think her nerves could handle much more stress. Chewing the side of her fingernail, she went over the plan again in her head.

As soon as the girls got home from school, she’d help them pack their backpacks and choose one toy each. She felt bad that they would have to leave their toys behind, but she’d make it up to them somehow. She hoped that sometime in the future they’d understand why she was making them leave their home and their daddy.

Kelly checked her watch again. She groaned in frustration. The minute hand seemed to creep along. She thought about eating, but knew it would only make her upset stomach worse. Instead, she concentrated on her breathing. Slow and steady. Deep breaths in and out. It didn’t seem to have any affect on her rapidly beating heart. Anxious, Kelly chewed her thumbnail.

Agonizing about whether she was doing the right thing, Kelly wondered what Mark would do as soon as he found out they’d gone. He’d call her parents, she was sure of it. It hurt her that she couldn’t call her parents and tell them what was going on, but she knew that as soon as she was safe at The Spring, she’d be able to call. It was going to be hard enough telling them that Mark hit her and she wasn’t going to take it anymore, let alone explain to them that she had taken her children and left Mark for good.

Left Mark for good.
The words repeated themselves over and over again in her mind. She needed to throw up again. Hurrying to the bathroom, she lifted the lid on the toilet and bent over. Her stomach contracted. She heaved into the toilet, but nothing came up. Her stomach was completely empty.

Lifting her head, Kelly brushed back her hair from her face. She went to the sink and splashed a handful of cool water on her warm skin. Patting it dry with a towel, she looked around the bathroom. Was there anything she’d forgotten to pack? She checked the medicine cabinet. No. She’d packed everything that was important. Doubting herself, she went back into her bedroom and checked to make sure she hadn’t left anything in there that she might need. She hated second-guessing herself, but she knew she only had one chance at this and she wanted to do it right.

Hearing the familiar squeal of the school bus’s hydraulic brakes, she hurried to the front door and opened it. Kelly watched her daughters jump from the bus’s last step to the ground and race to the house. This was it.

“Girls, listen to me. We’re going on an adventure and we have to hurry up and get packed.”

“An adventure, Mommy?” Amber asked.

“Where?” asked Ashley.

“It’s a surprise,” Kelly told her girls. “Let’s take your things into your room and get started.” Kelly kept her voice light and a smile on her face. She didn’t want her daughters to sense that anything was wrong.

Kelly led the way into the girls’ bedroom. “The first thing I want you to do is dump out your backpacks on your beds.” She helped Amber unbuckle her backpack. “Right there, dump it out.”

“Like this, Momma?”

“Yes, Ashley, just like that. Now. I want you to each get your favorite toy and put it next to your backpack.”

“Can I bring Henry?” Amber held up her stuffed teddy bear. “He says he wants to go on an adventure.”

“Put Henry next to your backpack. Now, listen to me. I want you to each pick a favorite book to read,” Kelly said as she opened the girls’ dresser and sorted through their clothes. She pulled out underwear, socks, t-shirts, and shorts for them to pack. She made sure to grab enough for several days. She didn’t have room for anymore.

“Did you pick a book? Hurry up, Ashley, pick one book. No. Just one.” She dropped clothes next to each backpack. “Now, I want you to put your clothes in your backpack.”

“Why?” Amber looked up. “Are we spending the night?”

“We might.” Kelly helped her youngest put her clothes in her bag. “It’s always good to be prepared, don’t you think?”

“Yes.”

“Yes,” Ashley repeated her sister’s response, and nodded.

“Are we packed?” Kelly asked.

The girls nodded.

“Good. Now, put your book in your bag and carry your toy. We’re going for a short walk.”

“Where?”

“Who’s house are we going to?”

“I told you, it’s a surprise.” Kelly led the girls out of their bedroom, down the hall and into the living room. She picked up her bag from next to the door and looked at her watch. It was finally time.

“Are we ready?” Kelly looked down at her brave girls.

“Yes.”

“What about Daddy?” Amber asked, looking around the room.

Kelly didn’t know what to say. She scrambled for something to tell her daughters.

Ashley spoke up first. “This is a girl adventure, no boys allowed.” She looked up at her mom as if seeking reassurance.

“That’s right.” Kelly sighed with relief. “This is a girl adventure. You guessed it, Ashley.”

Opening the front door, Kelly let the girls out then took a deep breath. She shut the door behind her. Biting her lower lip, she tightened her grip on her bag of clothes. She stood straight and squared her shoulders. This was it.