Human Nature

Chapter 38

January 31st, 1993

Superbowl halftime show. I can't believe I let my lawyer talk me into this.

The NFL had noticed that their viewership during the halftime show had been steadily declining in recent years and were looking for ways to get more people watching. That's where Michael came in. He didn't want to do it at first, but he decided to do it and donated his earnings to charity.

"So, Mike, how's the future Mrs. Jackson?" Bill asked.

Michael shrugged. "Girl, done lost her mind."

Bill laughed. "Already? They don't normally do that until after the wedding."

"I don't know what her problem is. She sits around looking like she been eating lemons all day, face all pinched up. She's always mad; I walk in the door and she's already going off." He said, shaking his head. "I almost don't want to go home."

"You want me to take you to the condo?" Bill asked.

Michael thought about it for a few seconds. "Nah, Mariah would be pissed if I didn't come home tonight."

"As opposed to..."

"Shut up, Bill." Michael threw some popcorn at the back of his head. "I just wish I knew why she was so mad all the time. "

Bill shrugged. "She probably already told you, you just weren't listening."

"She mentioned not spending enough time together, but that's because of work. That's not my choice." Michael said.

Bill laughed. "That's code for 'I want sex'"

Michael shook his head. "Not Mariah, she's...she's innocent."

"Not after what I heard in Paris."

Michael blushed. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

"Ya'll were so loud I'm surprised your fans didn't hear it."

He laughed and threw some more popcorn at the back of Bill's head. "You weren't supposed to bring that back up."

January 31st, 1993

She had a hunger for him. That was the only way to describe how she had been feeling since she had given herself to him. So much, that the simple sight of him made her start feeling hot and bothered; not that he was complaining. He was all too happy to oblige her when she asked and left her feeling high with every touch. Yet, it had been too long since the last time they had come together.

Now Mariah found herself frantically lighting candles to set the mood in one of her rare opportunities to have him. She had to stop and inwardly chuckle at herself; she was acting like a madwoman and she couldn't quite understand why. Something that he had done touched her soul and left her drunk on him. His touch, his scent, everything about him had her on edge. She finally understood Alison, but her drug was love.

She heard the door open and she sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting. He came into their room and looked around, licking his lips seductively.

"You're back." Mariah murmured, batting an eyelash.

He nodded. "Yeah, I wasn't expecting this, though."

"I can't help it, you..." She trailed off, her eyes traveling over his body.

He chuckled and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Give me a minute, I'll be back."

He reentered the room wrapped in a towel, the water from his hair dripping down his shoulders and Mariah sprung up to meet him. She allowed her hands to roam his chest and eagerly captured his lips in a passionate kiss while he lifted her up.

They broke away, breathless and he chuckled. "So is this what I'm going to come home to from now on?"

"Maybe. If you're good." She whispered coyly.

He laid her down and climbed on top of her. "But..."

He snapped her panties against her heated skin. "You love it when I'm bad."

She giggled from the heady mix of her anticipation and his allure. He started sucking on her neck, causing her breathing to quicken and he used one of his hands to rub her through her panties. She was melting in his arms, slightly arching her back from the pleasure he was eliciting from her.

He pulled off her bra and paid special attention to her breasts.

"Michael..." she whined.

She had been waiting too long for this moment and he was moving too slow, torturing her with his lips. She could see him grinning at her in the darkness, his eyes reflecting mischief.

"Is this why you've been so angry, baby? You missed me?" He chuckled, leaving a few more kisses on her bare breasts.

She pushed his head down and he took her hands and pinned them to the bed.

 "Remember what happened last time you did that?" He asked, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

She shook her head and allowed her fingers to trace his collarbone. "I think I need a reminder."

"I'll give you one then." 

Knock. Knock.

"Mr. Jackson?"

Mariah groaned as she watched him throw on his robe and answer the door.

"Yes?" 

It was security, meaning someone had showed up. "Mr. Jackson, your brother Randy is here."

Michael cast a guilty glance back at Mariah before answering. "Let him in, I'll be down in a minute."

She rolled her eyes and threw on a shirt and sweatpants.  "What does he want?"

"I don't know, I'll try to get him out as soon as possible." Michael said.

Mariah looked at him pitifully. "Promise?"

"Promise."

He gave her a quick peck on the lips before going downstairs to meet with his brother. 

I know who my least favorite is now.

She had been waiting for this moment for too long and Randy snatched it right out of her hands. It wasn't fair, she had been somewhat patient with Michael and his obligations. 

Half an hour later, Michael returned to the bedroom while Mariah was watching TV. 

"Not in the mood?" He asked.

She rolled her eyes and threw the remote at him. "I've been in the mood since we've been home. Am I not pretty to you? Who are you sleeping with?"

He looked left, right, then at her. "Baby, I think you need to calm down. I've been busy with things, but trust me I want to have sex with you."

"Then come here and have sex with me." She demanded.