It Just Feels Right

Hello & thank you for taking the time to click this story. A few notes: *This is a long story that I have been working on for quite some time. If you're looking for something quick to get you off, this may not be the story for you. *I know I am not a great writer. Some of my verb tenses are probably inconsistent & I'm sure there are grammatical errors. * Finally, I highly suggest you read the chapters in order. Some will be hotter than others, but you really need the whole story to understand them.

Thank you again. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.

*

Even through the heavy fog, Mike could see the flashing lights ahead of him. "Uh oh," he thought to himself. "Another tourist couldn't avoid the potholes." He chuckled as he approached the disabled car. Sure enough, the license plate said it was from Nebraska...and the rear passenger tire was as flat as flat could be. He didn't see anyone in the driver's seat, so he was about to drive on when the disabled tank began to move. Someone was jacking up the back end. Mike slowed his Beemer to a stop as he waited in the heavy traffic. He watched the boat of a car slowly lift its back end into the air, an inch at a time. He was about to drive off again when the behemoth suddenly came crashing back down to the ground with a loud thud. He moved his car well off the road, threw it in park and jetted out the door, sure he would find some poor Midwestern farmer had been decapitated by a flying jack.

"You stupid piece of shit!" The angry female voice nearly stopped him in his tracks.

Just as he was approaching the back of the downed vehicle, a crossbar came flying towards his face. He ducked just in time.

"Perfect! Just fucking perfect!"

He saw her then, as she leaned back against the car and slowly slid down the side. She came to a rest with her butt on the ground and her head in her hands. She was a pretty one from what he could see. Brunette hair pulled back in a neat bun, charcoal grey skirt with a cute black shirt on. He couldn't help but notice how the skirt ran up her nyloned thigh as she wrapped her arms around her knees. Her high heels were coal black and at least 4 inches high.

"Uhhh....hello?" When she didn't acknowledge him, he spoke louder. "Excuse me, Miss?"

With that her head snapped up and turned towards him. "Hi...hi there. Sorry, I didn't hear you pull up." She sniffed and wiped her face as she tried to get her feet as gracefully as possible. As she slowly rose, she stumbled in her ridiculous shoes and he reached an arm out to steady her.

"Are you ok?"

She took a deep, shaky breath as she brushed some stray hairs behind her ears. "Yeah...I'm fine...just had a bit of trouble with my jack."

He chuckled, "I can see that." He removed his hand from her arm and offered it to her. "I'm Mike.

Mike Harding."

She placed her hand in his. "I'm Michelle...Shelly...Kourting. Nice to meet you."

He shook her small hand in his, loving how she gripped him back. "Nice to meet you too, Mrs.

Kourting."

"It's Miss," she quipped over her shoulder as she turned to check herself in the side mirror.

"Even better." Mike smiled at the attractive female before him, admiring her backside. When she turned back around, their gaze met for a minute, and he nearly got lost wondering if he had ever seen a prettier set of green eyes than hers. Sensing that he had held his stare too long, he cleared his throat and tried to focus. "So...what do we have here? Can I help?"

Shelly sighed heavily. "I haven't quite mastered dodging all the potholes yet." She smiled shakily at him. "I was just about to try it again. I probably didn't have the jack centered right."

"You're lucky it didn't take your head off when it went." Mike walked to retrieve the broken jack.

"Yeah...yeah I guess so." Her voice was shaking as she tried to maintain control in front of this attractive, yet oddly intimidating stranger. She cleared her throat. "You don't have to do that. I can get it."

He scoffed as he grabbed the crossbar from the pavement as well. "I've got it." He smiled at the pretty young girl...hoping to put her at ease. "I take it you're new in town?"

"I am...just moved here a few months ago."

"Oh yeah? Where from?"

She smiled shyly back at him as he set the jack on the ground. "Nebraska. Around Lincoln, if you've ever heard of it." He was in a very nice dark business suit, and she couldn't help but admire the shape of his ass as he bent over to inspect the hardware. He had black-as-night hair, and the most engaging blue eyes she had ever seen. His shoulders were broad and strong. The fabric of his suit strained slightly over his biceps as he moved the instruments around. She was lost in thoughts of how it would feel to run her hands over them when she was snapped back to reality by his voice.

"Of course! Husker nation down there. What brings you to the big city?"

She felt herself loosen up a little...after all it was just small talk. "New job...finally putting my degree to work."

"Oh yeah? Where at?" Mike was only halfway paying attention now as he tried to figure out how the contraption she called a jack was supposed to work.

"Oh, just a distribution company uptown. I'm training in their sales department."

Mike was just about to ask her to be more specific when she interrupted him. "Are all the roads around here like this?"

He laughed lightly. "Unfortunately, most of them are. You'll get better at avoiding the chasms the more you drive them." He took his jacket off and she immediately reached to take it from him. He looked a bit surprised at her outstretched hand, and to be honest, she surprised herself by reaching for it. Mike smiled slyly as he slowly handed it to her.

She softly laughed, blushing madly, as she rested against the car next to where he was working...his jacket in her hands.

"What year is this thing anyway?"

"'78. She's my Jolly Green Giant..." Shelly laughed with embarrassment.

Mike looked up at her with a dumbfounded look on his face. "Seriously?"

She smiled. "Oh come on...you have to admit - the name fits."

His face broke into a smile. "You are right....it certainly does." He focused back on what he was doing, trying to get the jack to work properly. Shelly was checking her makeup in the mirror when she heard a

loud bang and Mike cussing under his breath. "Here's your problem." Mike deadpanned, "Your jack is crap." He held up the broken jumble of metal for her to see. "How long have you had this thing?"

She bit her lip and lowered her eyes as she meekly replied "Since I bought the car, I guess."

"When was that, 1978?" He laughed softly as she blushed.

She smiled. "No. I don't know, I got it in high school...it came with the car. I've used it before without any problems."

"Well...I think it's time has come. It's busted." He grinned slyly as he broke the news. "Not to worry, I have one we can use. I'm assuming you have a spare?"

She had been looking in his eyes ever since he started talking and had to force herself to focus once again. "Yes...yes," she stammered. "I do. I'll get it." With that she set his suit jacket inside the passenger window of her disabled Chevy.

He was going to offer to get it for her, but she was already in the trunk pulling the donut out of its hiding place. She lifted it out and plopped it on the ground. To her immense relief, it bounced...meaning it wasn't flat...to which she heaved a big sigh of relief. She grinned at the handsome man, proud of herself for not appearing to be a completely helpless mess.

Mike pointed at the pathetic little temporary tire. "That is not a spare."

She drew back, crestfallen, steadying the donut on the pavement with her left hand. "What do you mean?"

"That thing will get you exactly half a mile in this traffic." He grabbed it from her and heaved it back into the trunk, slamming it shut. "Do you have roadside assistance?"

Her face fell. "I don't...but what if I drive really slowly? My office is just a couple miles from here...think it could make it that far?"

"I wouldn't risk it." He reached into his pocket to fetch his cell. "I can call my guy -- he can come give you a tow."

"Ok...yeah that might be best." She bit her lip and looked at the ground as he dialed. "Thank you."

He smiled back at her. "Of course." Mike winked as his friend Saul picked up the phone. He gave him the address and hung up. "He should have a truck here within an hour."

Shelly nodded. "That's awesome. Thank you! I wouldn't have even known who to call."

"So...do you want to go grab a coffee or something while we wait? There is a nice little shop just up the road. Then I could give you a ride to wherever you need to go."

"Oh...that's so nice. But I'll be fine. I can wait for the truck. You don't have to wait with me if you have somewhere to be." She bit her lip nervously as she stood before him.

"Nah, I don't mind." He chuckled at her. "Besides, and please let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree here, but I think I'd like to get to know you better."

She smiled as she looked up at him. "Are you seriously asking me out? On a date?"

He returned her smile. "I sure am."

She giggled like a young girl. "I don't know if I can just leave my car here."

"Listen, my guy is really good. He will be here soon. He will tow it to his shop and have it fixed up in no time. I'll even get him to give you my discount." He patted her on the shoulder. "And even though this is Chicago...I don't think anyone will be disturbing the Green Giant within the next hour -- especially when it's missing a tire."

Shelly blushed and turned her head from him, his eyes were getting too intense. "I don't know..."

"C'mon, " Mike picked a piece of grass out of her hair. "Come with me."

"This is how Lifetime Movies about kidnappings start. You realize that right?"

He busted out laughing. "Yeah...yeah I suppose you're right. But I promise I am not a kidnapper, I'm not a psychopath. I promise." Sensing her hesitation, he continued. "You can even take my picture, my license plate, my ID and send it to whoever you want. "

Shelly laughed. "Really?"

"Of course." He looked directly into her very green eyes. "I just want to rescue a pretty girl from an awful morning."

She felt her face turning red. After deliberating for a few seconds, she looked up at him again. "I'd..." she kicked the ground as she fidgeted nervously, "I'd really like that."

"Me too." His eyes raked up and down her body as she shifted her weight, trying to act like she wasn't buzzing with excitement.

"C'mon...I'll drive...obviously." Mike chuckled as he reached for her hand.

"Sure my car will be ok here?"

He was about to answer when he saw the headlights of a vehicle headed for them. Mike grabbed her arm a second before it plowed into the back of her car, sending it spinning out in front of them. Pain exploded in her right hip as he pulled her to him and cinched his arms around her waist. They fell backwards onto the curb. He made sure she landed on top of him. Mike saw sparks behind his eyelids as his head hit the ground. The crash was loud, and he could still hear tires screeching as he rolled them onto their sides, wrapping himself around her. He lifted his head just in time to see her vehicle crash into a utility pole, tipping it on its side.

It had all happened so fast, Shelly wasn't sure what was going on. She was clinging to this man who had obviously just saved her life...her head tucked into his chest as her fingers dug into his arms and back. His arms were like a vice around her waist. Right before the panic set in, she couldn't help but notice the immense sense of safety she had in his arms. She was protected there. Even the blinding pain radiating from her hip wasn't enough to make her want to leave his arms.

"Fuck!" Mike yelled aloud. "Son of a Bitch...you stupid..." He was still holding the young woman as tires screeched from people trying to avoid the accident. The visibility was even worse now. The fog coupled with smoke made it nearly impossible to see more than 5 feet in front of him. He lowered his voice to check on her. "Hey...hey, are you ok?" He loosened his arms slightly and rubbed them up and down Shelly's back.

Her whole body began to tremble as she answered him. "I'm ok." But she wasn't. Her breath was coming in deep rapid gulps now as she could feel a panic attack coming on.

"Take it easy." His deep voice soothed her as he spoke softly against her ear. He sat up and pulled the limp woman into his lap.

"Y-y-yes...I'm fine." All of the color had drained from her face and her eyes were screwed shut. She had fistfuls of his shirt in her hands as her chin trembled.

He looked down at her. She was clinging to him, curled up in his lap, shaking violently. "Do you always say you're fine when you're not?" His hands continued moving up and down her back. He wrapped his arms tighter around her. "It's alright." Mike held her there...soothing and comforting her as the van's driver called out to see if anyone was hurt.

"I don't know. Call a damn ambulance! You?"

"I think so. My van is trashed, man! Why you guys gotta drive like that, huh?"

"You hit a parked car, asshole!" Mike's anger began to boil as the driver got out of his van, seemingly unhurt.

He tried to get Shelly to respond to him. She couldn't move yet. She hadn't really tried. Her hip felt like it was on fire as her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. She kept her head tucked under his chin as he held her protectively. Her eyes seemed like they were plastered shut as she tried to make the screaming in her head stop. His voice rumbling in his chest...his hands moving up and down her...his strong arms holding her...they were helping. She heard his rapid heartbeat and focused on it. Soon she felt herself beginning to calm. Deep down, Shelly was fully aware of the mess she would have to deal with when she left this man's embrace...and she just wanted to feel safe for a couple seconds more.

Then...she would go back to having to take care of herself.

Mike forced himself to temporarily stow his anger towards the van driver, turning his attention back to

Shelly. "It's ok. Help is coming. You're going to be alright."

One deep breath. Then two. One slower inhale and she was able to open her eyes and unclench her hands from him. She sniffed against his chest. "I'm ok."

Mike smiled when he heard her voice. "You sure? That was a pretty rough fall. Did your car clip you?" His hand went to her hip.

"I'm not sure...it may have..." She laughed through her unexpected tears, trying to reassure him but still not lifting her head from his strong pecs. "Thank you....thank you so much."

He chuckled. "Sure...anytime."

Finally she lifted her face to his. She smiled weakly as their eyes caught once again. "You saved me."

He immediately wiped the tears from her face. "None of that now." His voice was almost a whisper as he brushed his fingers along her face. "It's going to be ok...and you are most welcome."

Their eyes locked. She had the strongest urge to kiss him...and lost all willpower when she felt his fingers dig just a bit harder into her back. Their lips met, and even though she hates clichés, Shelly had to admit it was like fireworks. It didn't last long...there was no tongue...but it was one of the most intense experiences of her life.

Mike couldn't believe it. It was like she had read his mind. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her in that moment. When she pressed her mouth onto his, he thought he was dreaming it at first. It was over so quickly though, that without thinking he brought his hands to the sides of her head and pulled her back to him. This time he pressed harder and caressed her mouth with his tongue until her lips parted for him. He felt her moan softly as his mouth claimed hers. He kissed her good and hard. Her hands clenched onto the sides of his shirt as she unconsciously tried to get closer to him, her body seeking his. One of Mike's hands snarled in her hair and held her to his mouth. Neither of them knew how long this one lasted, but when they finally parted, both of them were out of breath.

They were there next to the car wreck, panting and staring into each other's eyes. Finally, Shelly spoke.

"Holy shit."

Mike chuckled. "Holy shit, indeed." He smirked at her as he saw a range of emotions cross her face.

"I-I-I'm so sorry! It...it must have been the adrenaline or something." She began blushing as she tried to disentangle herself from him. "I don't...I...I'm so sorry."

Mike sighed and got to his feet. "Please stop apologizing." He extended his hand to help her up. "You know you liked it." He pulled her to her feet, but she immediately felt off balance and put a hand on his arm to steady herself. Shelly looked down to find one of her heels completely broken off.

"Great," she muttered. "There goes conquering Chicago."

"Huh?" Mike wasn't sure if he had heard what she had said but saw that her shoe was broken. "That's a shame. Those shoes looked amazing on you...impractical and uncomfortable, but amazing." He smiled fully at her and that seemed to take her mind off her shoes, for the moment at least.

She reached down and removed the unscathed Jimmy Cho. While it broke her heart, she forcefully broke the heel off that one as well. She placed it back on her foot and shrugged at Mike. "They were too expensive for me anyway."

He chuckled and held her hand while she steadied herself. All of her good humor was lost though, when she turned her head to see her car. It was destroyed...completely destroyed. She took a deep breath, readying herself to deal with the situation. Before she knew it, Mike had intertwined her fingers with his and began leading her towards the wreckage. It was very forward of him and a shock indeed, but Shelly didn't mind not having to deal with this completely alone. She now heard the police sirens in the distance and squeezed his strong hand. This handsome stranger had already made quite the impression on her. "Tell me you're insured."

Shelly nodded her head as she answered. "Of course."

He squeezed her hand as they stopped near the crumpled vehicles. "Good."

She felt the sting of tears at the back of her eyes again, and turned away from him so he wouldn't see. She couldn't stop them all though...and she quickly wiped them away before she thought anyone could see.

The driver of the van was pulling things out of the damaged vehicle, cursing, and kicking the ground as he moved. "I called the cops!" He was shouting into his phone and at her at the same time. "I don't know why you tourists even try to drive in Chi-town!" He cursed in Spanish, waving his hands in the air as he fished around in his totaled van.

Shelly snapped. "Hey!" She yelled as she began to stomp towards the man. Even the pain in her hip wasn't stopping her as she walked towards him. "You hit a parked car, you fucking idiot! Don't you EVEN say one thing about me when you can't even avoid a damned parked car with great big emergency lights flashing!" Her voice got louder and she got closer to him, temporarily blinded by her anger. "I am NOT a damn tourist!"

Mike appeared in front of her, blocking her path. She saw a hint of a smile on his perfect lips as he put his hands on her shoulders. "Now...stop...come on." He tried to contain his laughter as she fought to get by him, still yelling and cussing at the van driver. Finally he grabbed her by the waist and all but carried her in the opposite direction. "Nope....that's it."

She sputtered and flailed momentarily, taken completely off guard by both his strength and his bold actions. "What are you doing?"

"Saving your ass again." He was very matter of fact as he carried her further away from the van. He had her under one arm, carrying her as she clenched onto his shoulder.