To Have and To Hold

Chapter 25

"I don't know, Michael..."

"What? You don't wanna come and spend some time with me? Lisa- you were there from the beginning with History- you oughta be there for the shows."

Of course she wanted to see him live! There was nothing that could compare- and also nothing more dangerous than to know this man had once been hers. Thousands were screaming for him- and she was able to get into his thoughts- and his pants- whenever she wanted to. Of course, not that she wanted to. They were friends and all. Somehow her eyes forgot what they were told and dipped over to his...no- dammit! Friends do not look at their friend's dicks! This was simply bullshit. What was she? Sixteen again? Staring up at his poster? Allowing her hand to dip lower... Lisa! Friends!

"I don't know, Michael. Riley's school don't end till the end of June...and I don't wanna leave the kids right now."

"No, of course not. You would bring them. I wouldn't want to burden Dude with being a father- and I would want them there. Ok, July then. Lets see...how 'bout you come to London? Girl, the fun we could have in London...what ch'a say, Lise?"

His eyes were full of enthusiasm. Pure, dark, lurid temptation. The kind of trap you'd want to get stuck on. The kind there were no remedies against. The kind you wouldn't ever want to be freed from.

"We'll see, Michael. We'll talk, ok...?"

His eyes narrowed and he sucked on his bottom lip, totally throwing her off track once more. God, this friend business was pure hell. And so confusing... She'd never been tempted to beat Danny to the pleasure of sucking on his lips.

"Ok...we'll talk alright. You now I ain't gonna take no for an answer on this one. Unless...you got other plans?"

What was that sudden shift? - God, Michael could be so mercurial. The dark wells of his eyes shifted from playful fun to cold, interrogation lasers. What in the world was he up to now?

"What other plans?"

"I don't know. Like, plans with other...friends."

Lisa blinked. How in the world? No, there was no way he would possibly know...

"Like?"

"Like this Luke dude. My guys tell me he hung around a bunch with Danny and you the other day."

Irritation battled amusement. Had he been checking up on her? Of course...

"You know, Mike- this ain't gonna work. I agreed to have your guys be on my team- for now. To give your paranoia a little rest and to make sure you can see that no one is out to get me. But no- you can pack them up and take them right with you if all they're gonna do is spy on me. Forget that shit."

She started to get up from the bed and he pulled her back down.

"Well, welcome back, spunky lady." His dazzling smile was almost enough to sidetrack her. Almost...

"Cut the crap. I mean it. No spying. And for your information- Luke is a friend."

She was sure she heard "Make sure he'll stay that way," but Michael masked the comment with a cough and denied having said anything.