Mitch dreaded seeing Maggie again. She would be pissed. She wasn’t the kind of girl you could throw down on the floor, have hot sweaty sex with, and then just say good night. Oh God, if only that was what he’d said. Thank you? He couldn’t believe that had popped out of his mouth. She must think he was a total idiot. Or a total jerk. He’d have to fix that at least.
When he returned from the city, she was sitting on a stool in the kitchen, drinking orange juice, and reading a book. One look, and he was immediately turned on again. So much for getting her out of his system. He shook his head and approached.
“About last night…,” they both said in unison. The morning after. It was an awkward moment, but they powered through. “I wanted to apologize,” they both said again at the same time and then laughed.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “You go first. I hope you’re not going to say you’re sorry it happened because I’m not.”
“Well…no…I’m not sorry it happened. Surprised at the timing, but not sorry. I mean, it was great and all. I just…” She looked down and mumbled the last sentence. “I wanted to apologize for being so crass and using such coarse language.”
He gave her a cocky grin. “You mean when you demanded that I ‘fuck you already’?’”
She cringed. “Ahh, is that what I said? I knew it was bad but couldn’t remember exactly how it came out.” Her face heated, and he tried not to laugh. She was so damn cute.
“Well, I can’t say I wasn’t surprised to hear you say it. But don’t be sorry. It was hot as hell.”
She turned red at his sly grin. “What were you going to say?” she asked, clearly wanting to move on.
“Oh, yeah. Well, I owe you an apology, too.” He paused and made a show of looking around. “All the rooms in this house, Maggie, and I take you right here on the fucking floor. In the kitchen for Christ’s sake. I should have made it better for you, especially for our first time. Anyway, I’m sorry I got so carried away.”
He wasn’t prepared to admit out loud that he never lost control like he had the night before. That she made him so crazy, he couldn’t even wait to get her to a bed or find a condom. Quite frankly, it scared him.
She looked down, and he was afraid she was preparing to let him have it. That would be okay. He deserved it.
Instead, she looked up and said, “Well, I can’t say I wasn’t surprised. But don’t be sorry. It was hot as hell.”
He laughed out loud. “It was pretty hot. You’re right about that.” Glad she wasn’t mad, he stole a sip of her juice.
“So, you went to the city this morning? I don’t suppose you picked up any groceries?” she asked.
“Oh yeah, I had an appointment I couldn’t get out of. That’s what I wanted to tell you last night. Then you distracted me, and I forgot…” He trailed off and smiled.
“Idistractedyou? I was just trying to get some juice!” she exclaimed.
“Are you upset about what you got instead?” He waggledhis eyebrows.
“Well, no. I’ve never had two orgasms back-to-back like that. I guess I can’t complain. I should actually be sayingthank you.” She emphasized the last two words.
His head snapped up, eyes wide, and she laughed long and hard.
“Shit. Okay, I deserve that. I don’t know what the hell got into me.”
She continued to laugh, and he finally did, too. “Thank you? Oh my God, you must think I’m the biggest idiot. You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
She got the giggles under control. “To save you from a lifetime of embarrassment, I won’t tell another soul, but, no, I probably won’t let you forget it anytime soon, either.”
“Ugh. That’s fair, I suppose.” He stood and walked over to the patio doors. “Hey, don’t go down to the beach until I have a chance to check things out around here, okay?”
“That takes all the fun out of being at abeachhouse,” she complained, “but all right.”
“I know, I’ll take a look as soon as I can. That reminds me.” He walked toward her pulling a small, silver chain out of his front pocket. “Will you wear this?” The surprise on her face made him clarify immediately. “It’s a tracking device.”
Did she think he’d gotten her jewelry? That would be awkward.
“Do I need this?” She plucked it out of his hand to examine it. Attached to the chain was a dime-sized charm with the word “love” inscribed on it. How cheesy.
“It’s just a precaution. In case we get separated and I need to find you. Keep in mind, it’s an older version someone is letting me borrow on the down-low. It won’t work unless it’s activated and doesn’t transmit very well in concrete buildings, so coverage in the city is spotty. It’s meant to be a last resort type of thing, but I figured better safe than sorry.”
“You think I might be kidnapped?” Her voice raised an octave in panic.
