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Deb had outdone herself with the meal, Sam thought. Very Northern plains in this most Southwestern of places. There had been barbecued ribs, a green salad, corn on the cob and potatoes roasted in the coals. She had some kind of gooey dessert for later, and the reason Sam was out on the patio was that he was making room for it. The first thing he did, upon stepping outside, was stoke up one of his remaining Cubans. The second thing he did was to undo his pants and give his distended belly a break. He had outdone himself at the table. It was becoming a habit, and while he smoked and studied the blazing sky, he chewed himself out pretty thoroughly. He was going to have to get on an exercise program, or into some therapy, or something because he had no intention of looking anything like Bobby Biggs when he finally did get back to work.
Beth: Sam! Sam: Outside, hon. Be back in a few. Sam contemplated the stars for a few more minutes. Then he heard the garage door opening and something with a glass-pack muffler pulling in. There was only one vehicle that Sam knew of that sounded like that. Strannix was back. Sam put out his cigar, struggled with his pants, and headed inside. Sam came through the patio door, to be met by Beth. Strannix was standing by the garage door, and Sam could hear the determined thump of Deb's walking cast as she made her way to him. Beth: I know what you're thinking. No! Sam: Outa my way, baby. Sam lurched over to Bill, grimly determined, followed by Beth. She had about as much affect on Sam as a gnat on an elephant. Sam: Strannix! Bill turned at the sound of his name, and Sam did something that was deeply satisfying and long overdue. He dropped his rightside crutch and uncorked a right cross into Strannix' unusually bearded face that laid the man flat on his ass. Sam's free arm windmilled helplessly for a minute and then he went over like a tree. Right onto Beth, mashing her little body under his. Meantime, to complete the carnage, Deb had hit a throwrug, her cast had gone sailing out from under her and she landed beside Strannix, with the wind knocked out of her. Deb: Billy...Billy...you...all right? Beth: The rain...in Spain...falls mainly...on a train...in my brain... Sam: What? Are you okay, hon? Beth: Somebody wanna call an ambulance? Deb: Billy...did he hurt you? Billy: I'm fine, baby. What the hell crawled up your ass, Dawg? Sam: I ain't seen your ugly face in two weeks. Urge came over me and I follow my urges. Where the hell you been? Deb struggled to her knees and moved over to crouch alongside Bill. She examined him quickly, running her hands over his arms and chest, looking into his eyes, gently touching his jaw. Her fingertips burrowed into the beard, and she smiled. Deb: What's this? Billy: I ain't keepin' it, damn thing itches. She touched her cheek to his, rubbing against his face and sighing contentedly. Deb: Bet it scratches, too. Billy: We'll see...then it's goin'. Deb: Okay...but thanks for letting me see what I'm missing. She kissed the end of Bill's nose, stroked his jaw again and he winced. Deb: Dammit, Gerard! What the hell did you do that for? Don't you go smacking Billy up for no reason! Sam: No reason! Punk disappears for a week, scares the shit outa you and you call that no reason! Beth: She's the Punk. Sam: What, hon? Deb: And you smashed her flat, you big ape! You oughta be ashamed of yourself! Beth: Does this look right to you, Sam? I don't think it's supposed to be over on this side. Deb: I can't believe you'd just haul off and slug him that way, Sam! Billy, who was the least damaged of all three, scrambled to his feet nimbly. He first stood Deb up, then Beth and finally, because he'd been taught never to kick a man when he was down, he extended a hand to Sam. Between Billy and Beth, they managed to get the big man back on his feet. Beth: Anybody got any aspirin? Ibuprofen? Motrin? Valium? Morphine? Deb: Have you got anything, Billy? That'd be like having a building cave in on you. Billy: If I did, I'd be usin' it. What the hell's your problem, Dawg? Beth: A general anaesthetic, maybe? Sam: You got a hearing problem? Where the hell you been for the last week? Billy: What the hell is it your business for? Beth: I think I need a brace. Beth groaned deeply, reached around to the small of her back. Absently Sam placed a fist there and lightly pushed. Beth gasped and stiffened against his hand. Sam: My business?! That's my baby sister, there! Recognize the emotion, asswipe? Beth stretched and popped her neck, eliciting a small cry of pain. Billy: That's different! Sam: What's different about it! If I upset my girl, I've got 185 pounds of pure ugly hangin' off the end of my nose. Deb: Sam! Beth bent forward, tried and failed to touch her toes. In fact, she remained stuck in position. Beth: Not good! Oh! Not good! Billy: It's different, shit-for-brains, 'cause you ain't been around long enough to try runnin' to my girl's rescue. Sam: And you have been! Gimme a goddam break! The woman's been stupid about you since I've known her and you just now decide to return the feeling! I'd say I've been around plenty long enough! I knew how loyal she was to you before you did! Billy: You wanna be around much longer, you better watch out who you go around sluggin', little man. Sam: I've been around long enough to suit myself. Beth: Uh...I hate to interrupt this stimulating conversation, but I could use some help, here. Deb: Ohmigosh...sorry, Beth. Deb stood Beth up, drawing an agonized howl from Beth. She hadn't meant to hurt Beth, but good intentions weren't worth beans in this situation. Beth: Sonnnnnnnnnnn of a freakin' bitch!!! Sam: Beth, hon, ssshhhh. You threatening me, Strannix? What's your damn excuse for leavin' this woman sit for a week with no word? Beth: I'm sorry, Deb. I must have a concussion or something. Was I just shushed? Deb: Pretty efficiently, too. He didn't even turn around. Sam: Well? Billy: Number one, I don't threaten, shithead, I promise. You remember that. Number two, that one and I have a lover's spat, that ain't none of your damn business. Keep pokin' your nose in it, you're gonna get it knocked off. Deb: There he goes again. Sam hobbled over to Billy. Sam: This in far enough! Explain, damn you! It's my business when my girl and I have to look after her because she's too upset to do it herself. Deb: Please, Sam...give it a rest! Beth: 'Scuse me! I have been clotheslined here! I am in serious pain! I need a chiropractor, or a masseuse, or God, or something... Deb: Billy might have one of his Darvon left over. Would that do it? Beth: Christ, I'll take anything! I just got blitzed by a middle line- backer for the Chicago Bears!!! Billy: Hey, she wants to know what happened, I'll tell her! I ain't tellin' no one-legged Dawg! Deb had thumped gamely off to the bathroom to see what remained of the stash of painpills Billy had taken north. Finding a number of the Darvon tablets, she brought one back to Beth with a cup of water. Beth put out her hand to take the pill but Sam, without once taking his attention from Bill, reached over and calmly took the tablet himself. Sam: Don't take this shit without a doctor tellin' you. You know better than that, girl. Beth stared, stupefied, at the back of Sam's head. Deb turned to Beth, a grave look on her face. Deb: I'm a doctor, Dr. Mom. I see these things every day. I have a pill for you to take. It won't hurt you. Come with me. Beth and Deb headed down the hall to the master bath. They were quite confident that they could get Beth medicated before Sam could get down there to stop them. Billy: What the hell do I always gotta spill my guts in front of all you people??? Deb: But you don't, Billy. There's nothing to say. You can just blow Sammer the Wonder Dawg off if you want to. Sam: What the hell you two doin'? Deb: Not a damn thing, Ossifer! Honest! Here...quick, before he gets here! Sam's attention was sufficiently diverted. He hobbled as quickly as he could down the hall to the master bath. Beth took two of the Darvon from Deb's outstretched hand and washed them down just as Sam hit the doorway. He grabbed Beth around the waist and yanked her into him. Sam: What'd I tell you about that? Beth: Aaaahhh!!! What are you trying to do to me?? Break everything you didn't get the first time??! Deb: Turn her loose, you big ape! Billy!!! Billy: What now? Beth was rubbing helplessly at her bruised and abused ribs. Sam became immediately solicitous, but then saw that the Darvon was already kicking in. She was getting mildly goofy, so Sam decided she was probably going to survive for a moment or two longer and turned his considerable ire back at Billy. Deb: Give it up, Sammer. I think you really messed her up when you landed on her like that. Billy!! Please!! Sam: I want an answer, Strannix. You owe her and you owe us. After all, we had to deal with the fallout! Beth: Fallout? Don't mind if I do. Beth slid very slowly to a barely seated position on the floor. Deb looked down at her, wondering if two Darvon had been one too many. Deb: Now you've done it. Billy will have to carry her to the car and drive the two of you home and carry her on in the house to bed and you're gonna be so jealous you'll be ready to spit. Way to go, Sammer! Sam: I thought you agreed with me! Five seconds ago you did! Beth went from the barely seated position to a fetal tuck on the rug she had purchased for the room only a month or two before. Beth: Fickle. Women are fickle, Sammy. Don't get involved with them. Deb: Billy, could you come and put Beth in on the spare bed, please. She's tryin' to crash on the bathmat... Billy stalked through the house to the bathroom, grumbling the entire way. Billy: Goddam people wanna rip my lungs out one minute, then I gotta do their dirty work the next! Billy shouldered Sam roughly out of the way and bent to Beth. He dragged her to her feet, grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder with absurd ease. She yowled, though with less force than before. Beth: Aaaaahhhhh!!! I keep telling you, I've got broken ribs!! What?? Are you all deaf??!! Billy: Dry up, pipsqueak! Billy carried Beth off to the spare room, leaving Deb and Sam in the bathroom. He returned after a scant minute and turned to face Sam down yet again. Billy: Need to do somethin' 'bout your woman there, pinhead. She's off in la-la land. Sam: Not surprising, since Dr. Sunshine here gave her twice as much of that Darvon as she needed. Deb: Didn't see you doing anything to help her. Sam: You're still agreeing with him! I thought you wanted... Deb: Has it ever occurred to either one of you two that you both might be right at the same time? Billy: I'm always right. He's just an idiot. Deb: You can blow that one out your ass, sailor. Sam saw an opportunity and, as was his habit, he took it. Sam: Where you been, swabby? Billy responded first by landing a hard poke in the center of Sam's chest. Billy: Watch it, little man. I ain't forgot I owe you a pop on the nose. Sam: Talk to the lady, swabby. Deb: Sam! Knock it off! He will tell me when he's ready, and if he never tells me it's probably just as well. He's home, and that's all I care about right now! Billy: If ya gotta know...Jesus Christ, I been down in Laredo with some old drinkin' buddies! What the hell difference does it make!? Sam: Doesn't make a damn bit of difference to me! How 'bout her? Them drinkin' buddies of yours wear skirts, any of 'em? Deb: Sam...forget it, okay? Billy poked Sam in the chest yet another time. Billy: Watch your mouth, boy! I been all through this once before. I told her, I told you, I told half the goddam world, I ain't sleepin' around! Deb stepped to Billy's side, put her hand on his arm and spoke very quietly. Deb: That's good enough for me, Billy. Sam: What'd you take off for a week for! Most people get drunk and get on with things in two days, three - tops. Billy smiled, still feeling the light touch on his arm. The one he'd been truly worried about had forgiven him. The Dawg was nothing by comparison. Billy: I ain't most people. Sam: No, you ain't. What you should be is a guest of the government and you damn well would be by now if it wouldn't hurt this little thing here. That's neither here nor there. Why'd you bail on this woman when she needed you. You're a damn coward. Deb knew that wouldn't go over well. She was moving to step between them even as Billy was reaching for a handful of Sam's shirt. Deb: Okay, kids, this isn't necessary. Billy, dear, please? Sam, don't. Okay? Just...don't. Sam: You deserve an answer... Deb: And I'll get one. Don't worry about it. Sam: ...especially after all the trouble I went to with that phone. Billy stepped up to two handfuls of Sam's shirt, and Sam kindly replied by snagging a wad of Billy's jacket. Billy: What the hell about my phone? Sam: I put a tap on it. You damn coward, you never called the girl once. I'd've known the second she picked up if you had. Billy's face was white, his eyes huge. He jerked Sam a little closer. Billy: I'd advise you to stop throwin' that word around, jackoff. Deb felt like the squishy stuff in the center of an oreo. Deb: Sam, shut up! I mean it, don't make him angry, I just got him back! Sam: What word, swabby? Coward? Shoe fits, asshole, you wear it. Billy looked at Deb, ignored Sam completely. He could see that she really didn't want him getting into any kind of fight with Sam. And then he actually decided not to, based on her need. Instead he shoved Sam away, not hard enough to knock him down, but enough to throw him off balance. He would have gone down again if Deb hadn't reached to help him steady himself. Deb: Billy, love...he's trying to get you bent out of shape. Billy put a hand behind Deb's neck and pulled her against him. He was answering Sam, but looking at her. Billy: All right, all right, Look...I just needed time to...to think, that's all. Sam: Think about what? She needed you and you were off like a shot. Deb: I did okay, but I was worried about you, that's all. Shit happens, and you usually manage to be there when it does. Billy: You don't need to be worried 'bout me, baby. Ain't nothin' gonna happen to me. Sam was shaking his head slowly. Sam: It's none of my business, Deb, but the longer you let him get away with this shit, the more he'll do it. Deb: You're right, Sam. It is none of your business. If he wants to change, he will. Billy, baby, it doesn't work that way, sorry. You take off with no word...I worry. It's my nature. I called everybody I knew, four times. Sam: And she practically lived with us for three days, because Beth was afraid she wasn't gonna look after herself. Bill lowered his gaze to the floor and gently massaged the back of Deb's neck with the hand still draped there. Billy: I know it was...I mean...I understand...Gerard, will you get the hell outa here!!? Deb: Sam...go on. Go keep an eye on Beth. He won't say anything in front of you. Sam looked undecided, standing there, knowing he wasn't wanted or needed. But proper police procedure was that you didn't leave the perp alone unless he was about to confess. But Sam wasn't the one who needed to hear the confession. For once, the investigation was out of his hands. Sam: I...I guess I will look in on her, then. Sam limped painfully away, down the hall to the guest room. Neither of the two remaining in the bathroom moved until the door closed. Deb turned, went to sit on the bed. Billy: Damn, he's a nosy cop. Deb: He can't help it. Billy, I...I... Billy: What is it, baby? Deb: I don't know. I thought I did, but I don't. You can't run away every time things get tough. You can't expect me to deal with this crap alone all the time. Billy: I know...I know. I just... Deb: Just what? Billy: Just been a long time since I heard that word. Deb: What word? As I recall I said a few of the big ones. Deb looked at him, chewing the inside of her lip. She wanted to be against his chest but there were things that needed saying that wouldn't be said if she was. Billy remained standing in the bathroom door, contemplating the floor. When he spoke, his voice was quieter than Deb had ever heard it before. Billy: Cancer. Deb looked up at him. It had been very clear to her all week, but he needed to say it. Deb: Billy? Billy: Just bringing back too many thoughts, too many...emotions. You know how I hate that. Deb: I know, but you still feel them. You can't hide from them because they're in you. Anything you bottle up is bound to stay with you. Hating them doesn't make them go away. Billy: No shit. Sittin down there in a ratty little honky-tonk in Laredo, knockin' back God knows what number beer after shit knows how many fights I been in. And I still felt the same. Deb: So...if you can't tell me, who can you tell. Deb patted the spot beside her on the edge of the bed. Deb: Sit down, Billy. You make me nervous. Billy sat down on the edge of the bed, pulled her head underneath his chin. He buried his face in her hair and just breathed for a moment. Deb: Are you okay? You're awfully quiet. Billy: Never mind me. Are you okay? Deb: Me? What do you think? I'm more concerned about you. You don't like dealing with all this nonsense. Billy sighed into her hair. Billy: I just want to...I just need to hear it. I need to hear you say that...that everything's okay. Deb: I'm fine, Billy, just fine. No babies, no menopause...definitely no cancer. Just stress. That's all, and my body didn't know what to do with it. Now, how are you. Billy: I don't know. Better now...but I don't know. Deb: What don't you know? Billy: I told you somethin' once about that...about that shit. I said I wouldn't see you go through it. Deb: I remember, but I don't have to. Billy: Sittin' down in that bar, I kept thinkin' about that. And all I could think about was...I couldn't. Even if it was all true, I couldn't... do what I said I was gonna do. Deb: You've lost me, my love. Billy: I always thought there's be no way I'd ever watch someone go through that again. But when it comes right down to it, all I'd want...would be as many days with you as I could get. Deb: William, William...you are your father's son after all. Billy: I always thought that was a pretty weak thing to be. Deb: It takes a lot of courage to love somebody. Lots more than it takes to run. And it takes a lot of strength, too. I wondered, the whole time you were gone, if you wanted me to leave. I thought about packing up and going...but in the end, I couldn't. I had to hear you send me away. Billy: I can't do that. Maybe I thought I could a long time ago. But I can't now. I...I need you. Deb: It must have been tough to say that, Billy. It wouldn't have mattered if you had tried to send me away...I couldn't have gone far. You're my life now. Billy felt a great weight sliding off his shoulders, and he was able to straighten up and scramble her hair. Billy: I know you're not leavin'. You ain't gettin anywhere on that gimpy leg. Deb: Don't dare me, Strannix. You know what happens when you dare me. I walked on you before, and I'll do it again, if you dare me. Billy slid his hand under her chin and raised her face to look at him. His voice was nearly a whisper. Billy: Make love to me...I dare you. Deb: That's not even a challenge...but I do have one question for you. Billy: What's that? Deb: What if the Dawg gets out? Billy: Gonna have to smack him on the nose with a rolled up newspaper. Deb: You don't read newspapers. Billy: Guess I'll have to smack him with somethin' else. I owe him one anyway. Billy gently rubbed his jaw. Billy: Damn cop hits like a fuckin' freight train. Lucky I had this damn beard or I'd be scrapin' my face off the wall. Deb ran a finger along the afflicted side of his face. Billy: Don't tell him I said that. Billy started to lay back on the bed, pulling Deb down on top of him and beginning to stroke the curves he'd missed over the last week. Deb: I was just thinking, it's as close to a compliment as you're ever likely to give him. Sort of a sign of acceptance. Is there anything I can do for your jaw? Billy: I can think of a few things. Billy slipped a hand around the back of her neck and pulled Deb's head down to his. He kissed her, long and deeply, for the first time since arriving home. Deb: I said your jaw. Billy: Feels better already. Deb: I need to get this stupid thing off my leg. I never was a Rockette, but this is ridiculous. Finally Deb had to pull back, to breathe. She was unable to speak. Her fingers were buried in his thick hair. She swallowed heavily, felt herself shaking. The shaking was a reaction Billy always counted on. If he could make her shake, he had nothing to answer for. Deb: Even when you didn't like me much, you could always do this to me. Billy: Who said I never liked you much? Deb: In the beginning, you thought I was a pain in the ass. You don't like pains in the ass. She bent to lay a line of soft kisses up his sore jaw. Deb: I'll have to get after Sam about this. Billy: Don't worry 'bout it. When he gets that bum leg healed up, I'll be sure to pay him back. Deb moved her head tracing a path to the side of his neck. She worked at gently nipping, pulling at his skin with teeth and tongue. He considered her his private hickey preserve, but he had never allowed her to brand him. Billy: Whatcha doin' there, little girl? She answered, her voice small and breathless. Deb: Tasting you. Billy: Any good? Deb: The best... She began fumbling eagerly with his t-shirt, pulling at it. Billy: You need help there? Deb: Please. Billy grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt and in one painfully slow move, slipped it over his head. He gave it a toss onto the floor. Billy: Better? Deb: Dear God...all kinds of better. But...just a word of warning... nothing of mine comes off. Billy: Oh, yeah? Billy slipped his hands under Deb's blouse, moving them up and down her back from the base of her spine to the base of her neck before sliding them neatly around to her front. She shivered in his arms. Deb: That's what I said. Wanna try me? Billy: I can work around clothes. He pushed one hand under her bra but made no move to unsnap it. The other hand was on the small of her back, slowly moving under the waistband of her panties. She ran a hand far up the inside of his thigh, and bent to plant small kisses up across his damp, warm chest. Deb: I know how very versatile you are. I said. Nothing. Comes. Off. Deb fought back more shivers. Normally Billy was very definitely the Master of Ceremonies. He did more or less whatever it occurred to him to do and Deb followed along. On this night, if she could only manage to hang on, she was going to test a new level of...something...that he had given her. He asked her to make love to him. He didn't say how. She moved away from him, looking at him with hot eyes, pushing his hands away. Billy: Where you goin', baby? Deb: Over here. Keep your hands to yourself, big guy. Billy gave her a smirk and a look that would have melted any woman's resolve, and should have melted her own. Billy: Okay. He sat up slowly, stretched luxuriously. He locked his fingers together, sliding his hands behind his head, and waited. Billy moved slightly against the headboard, his legs in a comfortable sprawl half on and half off the edge of the mattress. His jeans were tight enough to tell what brand of underwear he was wearing. He lay one arm along the pillows, not touching Deb but close to her. With the other arm, he pressed against the back of his neck, eliciting a pop and bulging a bicep at the same time. Deb: Not this time, fella. Deb's voice was unsteady in her ears and she knew what he was thinking. All he had to do was sit there and be gorgeous, and she would beg to be taken. That was still a possibility, a very real possibility...but her idea remained, hoping to see if she could get him to beg her, just to find out if the balance of power could possibly shift. She clasped her shaking hands in her lap and watched him. Billy: Now, baby, I never thought you'd turn down a dare. Deb: Nobody said I was. Sometimes... Billy: Sometimes what? She had no words. Billy cocked his head sideways and watched her, a secretive little grin on his face. Deb: Sometimes...you go farthest...by refusing to take another step, is all. Billy: Well, then...why don't you take a step over here and see how far you get. Deb answered his grin with one of her own. Deb: I'm already there, Billy. I'm just waiting for you to catch up. Billy rolled over on top of Deb, pressing her back into the pillows with his chest. Billy: Then why aren't you makin' love to me already? Deb: But I am. I'm making love to your mind. Billy: Well, I need you to work your way a little farther south. Deb let her head fall back onto the pillows. Her grin widened into a huge smile, and she laughed silently. Deb: Stop making me laugh, you bugger! I'm serious! Billy: I can see that. What is it you...want? Billy had already bent to her neck, begun lightly kissing it below the ear. Deb: I don't if I can have it. Maybe it's not worth mentioning. Billy: Name it, baby. It's yours. Deb reached, languidly traced the line of his shoulder where he was bent over her. Deb: That's so nice...you dominate me so completely, Billy...I feel like I've lost myself in you and most of the time that's good...but I'm not a doormat. Sexually...most of the time it's your way or the highway...I'm just looking for a little equality. Billy was exasperated, and he simply dropped onto her, effectively pinning her to the bed. He sighed heavily into her neck, and pondered for a moment. She was shaking, and Billy began to sense eventual capitulation. Then this rather painful episode would be forgotten. But he had, not for the last time, underestimated her determination. Deb: Penny for your thoughts, there...or do you need a nice picture of Andrew Jackson to even consider it. Billy: I was just thinkin', of all the major and minor scrapes I've been through in my life, I think you're gonna be the one to kill me. Deb: What? Why the hell would I do that? Billy: 'Cause you're killin' me now. Deb was lightly stroking his bottom, occasionally moving her hands to his broad back, but always ending up on the tight backside. Deb: Oh, pooh. How many times have you done this to me? You make me beg like a dog at the supper table. Dinner's on, son, but you need to figure out where it is and then get permission to eat it. Turnabout's fair play, you know. Billy raised up on an elbow and rested his head against his hand. Billy: You're gettin' far more complicated than I bargained for. Deb: I don't bargain. She inserted a finger down his snug waistband. Billy: Oh, hell! And now Dawg quotes! Ain't you tortured me enough? Deb: Nope. Deb covered the front of Billy's zipper with the flat of her hand, but made no further move. Billy shifted restlessly against her. Billy: Make. Love. To. Me. Deb kissed the end of his nose. She was afraid she might be pushing things too far, but at the same time was absolutely convinced that it would work. An altogether curious state of mind. She looked up into his face, whispered mischieviously... Deb: Wait. Bill rolled his eyes upward, then dropped his head to her shoulder. He gave a gutteral moan. Deb pushed against him and briefly rubbed, but kept her distance from the zippertab. She cupped what she could of him in a warm hand. Deb: Wait for it... Bill had buried his face against her shoulder. His voice, and the sounds he was making, were muffled. Billy: Please! Her fingers squeezed, caressed, backed off and repeated the entire cycle over again. She knew he was in pain, but that he needed to experience it, needed to know that she could direct their play to their mutual enjoyment as easily as he could. He needed to learn that it was okay to let go, to freefall and trust her. Deb: Wait, baby...just wait. Billy groaned again, louder. He was extremely restless. Deb was enjoying this mild discomfort for its very novelty. It was time to turn up the heat. She undid his button and eased the zipper down very slowly then covered him with her hand. The only thing separating warm skin from warm skin were his thin cotton briefs. She caressed him fully, feeling his heat. He spoke again, his voice a hoarse whisper. Billy: Oh, God, baby, please... Deb: Not yet, baby...be patient. Deb was starting to feel mean, but he had been the one to teach her that half the pleasure of the game was in waiting to play it. She was actually quite proud of him. He was forcing himself to let her manage this, not taking over for his own pleasure and bringing her along for the ride. She tried to make the waiting worthwhile. A curious finger found the fly of his briefs, toyed with it. With her other hand she stroked his back. She pushed her body, still fully clothed and mostly inaccessible, up against him. The finger slipped a little further inside the briefs, brushed against hot flesh and instantly retreated. She kissed the base of his throat. Billy had a large portion of the pillows behind her head in a vicelike grip, in both hands. His breathing was becoming labored. He gripped and released the pillows over and over again. At some point, Deb heard a slight tearing of cloth. Deb: Careful there, big boy. If Billy's face hadn't been buried against her shoulder, his animal groan would have been enough to wake the dead, or at least the people down the hall. Billy was beginning to perspire heavily and she knew the feeling well. There had been many nights when he hadn't been willing to consider her ready until she was drenched with sweat. The finger was joined by a friend and the two of them, shy little devils that they were, found him, traced a good portion of the length of him and then ducked out. With her other hand she gripped his bottom. Deb: Billy? Billy: Yes? Deb: Not yet. She shifted beneath him, partly to figure out how to squirm out of her own jeans and partly to relieve the pressure of his weight. He was heavy, and she was finding it almost impossible to support him. She spread her thighs, knowing that he would fit neatly in the saddle of her hips. Sweat was sliding off his forehead, rolling over her shoulder. She could feel Billy panting, breath hot against her skin. Billy: Baby? Deb: Yes? Billy: Now? Deb: No. Not yet. He moaned desperately, rubbed his brow against her shoulder, hot sweat streaking her skin. She shifted again. Now all that stood between Billy and what he wanted were the little cotton briefs she wouldn't let him slide off. She fussed out of her blouse and bra, shoved them over the side onto the floor. He groaned deeply. His mouth was open against her shoulder and his breath was hot against her skin. She felt his teeth lightly graze her flesh. She continued to make small movements beneath him, the sort he often demanded to enhance his own pleasure. She kissed the top of his head gently, wondering why he was making no move to touch what she has exposed for him. Her whole hand dived inside his briefs, encircled and gently held him. Then she released him and withdrew once again. She wondered if he could feel her heat. Billy: Baby? Deb: What? Billy: I need you. Deb: Wait. On your back. He rolled over, put himself beneath her. She straddled his narrow hips, ran the tips of her nails over his belly. Now she could see and watch his face. Deb: Billy? Billy: Baby? Deb: How does it feel? Billy: Achin', baby. Deb: I know that. I'll take care of you soon. I mean...how does it feel ...not to be in control. It was Deb's turn to shift constantly, restlessly against him. She knew something was going to have to break soon. She wouldn't be able to wait much longer. Deb: Talk to me, William. Billy: I'm achin' for you, baby. But if you want me to wait...I will. I'll wait...for you. Deb swallowed heavily. He didn't know it, and she would be damned if she would tell him, but sometimes he could do more to her with a few words than with all the glory of his big body. Deb: That's not what I asked. She leaned over, kissed him deeply, felt his hungry response then drew away to await his next attempt at speech. Beneath her, she could feel that his briefs were damp, and she knew beyond doubt that she was ready. Billy's eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow. Billy: What'd ya...ask, baby? Deb: I asked you how it felt to have someone else in charge. Billy: Like...jumpin' out of an airplane...and no 'chute. She fought down the urge to fidget against him, to bear down with her hips against the itch. Deb: Is that good or bad? Billy: You gonna be there to catch me? Deb: You have to ask, sailor? Billy: Then it's good. Deb: Is it like flying? Billy: Fallin's different. Not like flyin'. Flyin's like a planned operation. You know you're gonna get there. Fallin'...you can't be sure... you just gotta take that chance. Deb: Ever taken anything on faith, Billy? Deb took one of his big hands, rested it against her heart. Deb: Ever wanted to, felt like you had to? Billy: ...yeah. Deb: What was it? Billy: You. Deb: Billy...Billy... Billy raised his free hand to her forehead, gently brushing the hair back from her face. Billy: Yes, darlin'? The word 'die' wanted to come to her lips, as in 'if I die before you' but she bit it back. Everything that had happened in the past week had because Billy was afraid she might die. She had managed to reassure him that it wasn't about to happen. She would be an idiot to bring the subject up herself. Deb: I love you, Billy. I always have, no matter what happens between us, no matter what is said. I love you. I need you to know that. Billy: I love you, too, baby. Deb hid her face. She'd had about enough of the dominatrix act, and hearing his words had just about put paid to her control. He took her wrists, after a minute or two, and gently but firmly pulled her hands away from her face. Billy: Don't hide this beautiful face from me, darlin'. He reached to wipe away her tears, and she was destroyed. Billy shifted out from under her, lay on his side and gently tugged her down in front of him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close, her back against his chest, her body completely surrounded by his. And he just held her. Deb: You gonna say anything about 'damn cryin' women'? Billy: Not tonight, baby. Not tonight. Billy kissed the back of her head. Deb: No smartass remarks about righteous waterworks? Billy tightened his grip, bringing her as close as it was possible for her to be, not as a sexual move, but as a protective one. Deb: Is it okay, just once, if I cry because I'm happy? Billy: Cry for any damn thing you want. Deb: If I asked you to...mess somebody up...would you do it? Billy: I'd snap their spine in half, you ask me to. Deb: If I needed you to do...something hard...would you? Billy: If it killed me. Deb: Wrong word, son. You're not gonna die and leave me behind, that almost happened once already. Either I'm goin' first, or you have to promise to take me with you, wherever you go, even to hell. It won't be heaven without you. Billy was nearly whispering again. Billy: I promise. Though I think our eventual destination is something we would have to negotiate. Deb: Hey, there, Annapolis...nice to see you again. How's tricks? Billy winked broadly at her. Deb: Hello, sailor. Billy: You lookin' for a good time, little girl? Deb: Might be. You know where I can find one? Billy: You're lookin' at 'im. Deb: I don't know about a good time. All I'm seeing right now is the love of my life. Billy? Billy: Baby? She was about to surrender. Deb: Do you still have something for me? Billy: Only if you still want it. Deb: Oh, yes...please, Billy. Please? Billy lowered himself onto Deb, kissing the base of her throat, the side of her face, and finally pressing his mouth onto hers. Neither of them remembered that the bedroom door was open. Neither of them heard the spare bedroom door and its telltale squeak. Neither of them noticed Sam checking on the source of the light, nor did they know it when he left, softly closing the door behind him. TO BE CONTINUED...
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