Under My Protection

Chapter 4

For AnnMarieThrush

I woke up when my dream took a weird turn. I looked down at the problem in my pants. I had one of those dreams. A very nice dream. Yet it felt wrong. It's been a month of living in hiding. Mitch was doing a lot better. I think my problem was the dreams I was having. We haven't had to kiss each other yet but my dreams decide to go to the point of Mitch and I having sex. I can still feel his nails on my back and his soft moans filling the silence.

I shook my head. These dreams are the reason I've been sleeping on the couch. I didn't want to confuse Mitch or try and act on my dreams. He didn't deserve any more confusion.

"Shush David. Don't wake up Scott." I heard Mitch talking to his son. He walked into the kitchen with David in his arms. In the month we were here, I've learned so much. Like David and Mitch were attached at the hip. They aren't use to having to worry about a third person in the picture. That goes double for Mitch. He's always use to raising David on his own but now I'm here to help out.

"Can I make pancakes?" David's sweet little voice drifted into the living room. I've grown attached to the little boy. He was cute and so much fun. He was hilarious too. The little jokes he made.

"Be careful. That's hot." Mitch was trying to be quiet. Have I mentioned how beautiful Mitch is? Now that I've actually been around him, I can see how Chris fell in love. He was smiling more now too.

"Good morning." I came to stand in the kitchen doorway. David was sitting on the counter with a spoon in his hand and a bowl right next to him. Mitch was putting a pan on the oven.

"Morning Scotty." I almost awed at the cuteness that is David. Mitch just flashed me a small smile.

"What are you making?"

"Pancakes!" I came over to get the batter off David's cheek with a washcloth.

"Messy boy." When David wasn't paying attention, Mitch took the bowl and stirred it. Then he began making the pancakes. "Are you going to play with your friend today?"

"She's coming for breakfast."

"Oh shit!" Mitch ran to set the table. We totally forgot about our neighbors coming over for breakfast.

"Daddy said a bad word."

"No I didn't." Mitch held up his finger to David. "Don't repeat that." After finishing the food and setting the table, I opened the door with David in my arms.

"Hi Cassie." David waved at the little girl in her mom's arms.

"Hi David."

"We got pancakes." He said excitedly. I set the little boy down and Cassie was set down too. They ran into the kitchen.

"Do you want to come in?" I offered Sherry.

"If you don't mind." We were walking through the living room when Sherry noticed my bed on the couch. "Trouble with Mitch?"

"Not really. Late night television." We came in the kitchen. Mitch was leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hands, a smile present at the children at the table. He looked up at me.

"I made you a coffee." I came over, grabbing the cup that had been placed behind him. I kissed his cheek. He giggle quietly. God he was cute. "Do you want a cup Sherry?" She was smiling at the two of us.

"No. It's fine. I'll just leave. Tell me when you're tired of Cassie."

"Okay." We waited for the front door to close before laughing. "I've never actually had neighbors that talked to me." He took a sip from his mug.

"I've never had neighbors like in the movies." He pushed my shoulder playfully, pointing at Cassie and David. He couldn't stop the laugh though. I couldn't believe I haven't kissed him. I could just imagine kissing his wonderful lips. I looked down at my feet to distract my thoughts. "Are you going to sleep in the bed tonight?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." Mitch didn't say anything until the kids were playing in the living room.

"Do you just want to get sex out of the way?" I stopped washing the dishes to look at Mitch. He was waiting for my answer.

"What do you mean? Like just fucking?"

"Well, yeah." I didn't even think about saying yes.

"No." My answer was firm.

"Why? It's obvious that you're attracted to me and you're not a bad guy. You're handsome and nice-"

"But I'm not your husband." He sighed.

"Is that why you're sleeping on the couch?" I didn't answer. He wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his head against my back. "We're suppose to act like a functioning couple. That means sleeping in one bed."

"But that doesn't mean I have to have sex with you."

"But it does mean you have to kiss me. And look natural while doing it." He let go of me to let me turn around.

"So what do you want to do? Practice?" It was a joke but Mitch's raised eyebrow showed me that he was considering it. "That's so awkward."

"If this is how I keep my son safe, I think god and my husband will forgive me. Maybe god not so much because the whole laying with a man thing but you get my point." His hand went to rest on my shoulder. "Chris won't be mad. Not at you."

"It feels wrong. You're not mine."

"But you have to pretend." I was tensed when his arms wrapped around my neck. He stood on his toes but stopped before he kissed me. He was waiting. I was staring his lips. Then I decided to get it over with. I connected our lips and sighed into the kiss. I found myself pushing him up against the counter. Mitch's hand went to my chest to push me back. "Air."

"Sorry." After a couple minutes, I pulled him back into a kiss. I tried but we were interrupted.

"Daddy! Apple juice please!" Mitch blinked rapidly. He seemed to be snapped back into the situation.

"Coming David." He went into the living room with two glasses of juice and I was left to collect my thoughts. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.

That was amazing.