Princess & the Stud

Lila gave Bishop and Mary Robison a cheerful wave as they pulled away from the driveway. It had been so much fun. This is what real families were like! The thought felt disloyal, and made her feel guilty. After all, she had people who loved her, a roof over her head and money. There were people in the world that would be glad to have her life. Finished mentally berating herself, she quickly turned to Michael to help curb the direction of her thoughts.

"That was fun. You have a wonderful family Michael."

"They're not my family, they're Nate's." Michael inwardly cringed at his own words. He sounded harsh.

Lila turned to look at him. She saw the tenseness of his expression and realized he was uncertain about the Robison's role in his life. But the love they had for him was plain to see, "Well they're friends aren't they? And friends are like family."

Michael gave her a smile, "Yeah, guess you're right. They're great people... except for that little cretin, Jim."

"Why would you say that? He's so funny."

Michael rolled his eyes, "He wasn't being funny Princess, he was flirting with you."

"He was being funny and teasing, he's a kid."

"The 'kid' is only 2 years younger than you and spent the majority of the evening checking out your breasts."

"He was not... you're jealous!" Lila was shocked and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

"I'm not jealous!" he growled.

A few weeks ago his growl would've left her feeling intimidated but she knew him too well now. His bark was definitely worse than his bite. Lila grinned. When she failed to respond, Michael turned to look and caught her expression, she lost control and began to laugh. It was time to change the subject.

"So what had you wanted to ask me about earlier that was going to take too long to discuss during the five minute drive, was too important to talk about over the phone and you couldn't discuss yesterday because you had to arrange your thoughts?"

Lila quickly sobered, "Okay, um... so you know how tomorrow we're supposed to have the charity event for the animal shelter tomorrow?"

"You need donations?"

"Well yes-"

"Done."

"Thank you Michael but that wasn't the question. I was hoping to do something a little more hands on-"

"You want me to volunteer."

"No, Michael, can you please stop interrupting? I have this all planned out and if you keep asking questions I'm going to get all scram-"

"Sorry. Sorry! I'll be quiet."

Lila gave him a scowl. It was so cute and sexy he couldn't help but smile at her. After two seconds of resistance she couldn't help but smile back and roll her eyes at herself for giving in.

"So as I was saying, before being so rudely interrupted, I would like to do something more hands on for the shelter. I tried to do it before but my grandmother's allergies wouldn't allow me to and the mansion isn't an ideal pet environment. I was hoping we could adopt? I know you don't have any pets and the animals I'm thinking of are most in need of homes-"

"Okay. We'll adopt."

Lila stopped in surprised relief. "Are you sure?"

"Is it important to you?"

"Yes."

"Then we'll do it."

Lila felt tears sting her eyes.

"Did you really think I would say no?" He asked sounding faintly insulted.

"You never talked about wanting a pet and I hinted at it before, talking about how many animals are put to sleep each year, how people drop sick or traumatized animals off without a second thought and how difficult it is to find proper homes for them."

"I didn't get it, thought you were venting. Next time just come out and ask Princess. If it's important to you, then that's all that matters. There's enough space and I don't have allergies."

"Thank you."

"There's nothing to thank me for... just can you try to get us a dog? I'm not really a cat person."

"Oh."

"Dang it."

"It's just that there are so many cats who-"

"Okay fine! Just try to find a friendly cat if there is such a thing."

He sensed Lila leaning up and over to him and then felt a sharp little bite on his lobe.

"Yikes! What was that for?"

"Interrupting me again!"

He felt her kiss the sting away and then leave a string of kisses over to his cheek. Michael swallowed and tried to focus on his driving. "And what was that for?"

"Being you."

To his disappointment she settled back into her seat. She wanted to go home today to prepare for tomorrow. He wasn't looking forward to an empty bed.

"So when does this gala shindig start tomorrow?"

"It's a charity event not gala. It starts at seven. I have to be there an hour early to make sure set up is done right and then we can leave within an hour after it starts. I promise."

"Okay." Michael replied. "So you talk to your sister?"

"Yes. Thank you Michael."

"For what?"

"You know what." Lila responded quietly.

He turned to look at her and found her smiling at him softly. The look in her eyes had his heart acting funny. It was probably stomach acid from digesting Bishop's special spicy barbecue ribs, he told himself and turned his attention back to the road. What should he say?

"She loves you." He responded.

And I love you, Lila wanted to reply. She stared at his handsome profile. She'd spent her life pleasing people and compromising. Though she would never admit it aloud, she'd always felt like love from her grandmother was conditional. One wrong step and she would be banished like her mother had been. The love she had with Katie was unconditional but at times stifling. It was funny how Katie had accused her of becoming a Stepford wife for Michael. If anything, Katie was the one Lila let manage her life. Lila tried her best to do everything according to what Katie wanted. It had started as a form of idol worship for her big sister and then turned into a habit to satisfying Katie's need to manage everyone around her. The recognition did not lessen her love for grandmother or Katie but helped her to identify where the constant feelings of fear and loneliness she had often felt before came from. With Michael she didn't need to do anything to please him and if anything, he compromised to fit her into his life.

He loved her. Lila knew it. She could feel it. She could read him better now, than he could read himself. They'd discussed everything about their lives in the dark of the night, curled against each other after making love. He'd told her about his parents' accident, losing his uncle and the faithless college girlfriend. She'd told him about what had happened between her parents and grandparents. She'd felt him tense up in anger, at being unable to right long ago hurts. While she wept for the poor little boy he had been. He hadn't let anyone love him for so long, he didn't recognize his feelings. Lila thought she knew how to put him out of his misery. She would tell him how she felt, after the gala tomorrow.

******

Michael waited for Lila in the car. He wasn't entering the Dame's lair unless he absolutely had to. The barbecue had been a success. Except for that little asshole Jim mooning over Lila, things had gone perfectly. Katie hadn't attacked him or made any of her cutting little remarks. Awesomely enough, she'd even left early. Mary and Bishop had adored Lila, and Lila seemed to take a shine to them. Tina had teased him about a shotgun wedding... not realizing how sort of close to the truth she was.

The question of SSE leadership was squared away. Now the only problem was Lila. He felt so much damn guilt, it was eating him. It had shocked the hell out of Michael to realize that Lila was only two years older than Jim Robison. When she'd called Jim a kid in the car, he'd felt relieved. But facts were facts. The kid was helluva lot closer to Lila's age then Michael was. He felt old. Perhaps it was thinking too much, working so much and worrying. But one thing was clear, he couldn't let her go. If he had to beg her to give him a chance, he would do it, because the thought of a life without her made him feel as though a hole had opened up in his heart. He planned on talking to her tonight.

The sudden shine of a light alerted him that Lila was coming out the front door. She was wearing a sweetheart neckline, floor length maroon dress with wide straps. The matching lipstick gave her skin the look of creme. Her hair midnight black hair was drawn back into a loose chignon. Michael wondered if it would be a better idea to have his planned talk after sex. Yeah, it would probably be best, they would both be relaxed. He'd get a room at the hotel while Lila was busy with set up.

Michael got out of the car to seat her.

"Hey." She greeted him with a smile.

"Hey." he responded back.

Once seated inside the car he turned to her. "Do you have that lipstick and a napkin in the purse?"

Lila checked, "Yes, I do."

She quickly pulled back when he made to kiss her, "Back off Michael Hirsch, we're in front of my grandmother's house."

He scowled and planted a quick kiss on her shoulder. "Later." He whispered in her ear. Lila shivered.

********

Not a gala my ass, Michael thought to himself. These people were here to party. He tugged at his collar in discomfort. Good thing he'd gotten a hotel room on arrival. Some of these folks would need rooms, if not for sleeping off a buzz, then for clandestine hook ups. He checked his watch again, fifteen minutes and Lila's hour was up. He wanted to get out of here before things got even crazier. They had paparazzi style photographers out front for god's sake. He caught the eye of a slightly harried looking Lila and tapped his watch in gesture. She nodded and gave him a quick smile before being ambushed by an elderly matron.

Hotel rooms always set the mood for adventurous sex. Michael thought about what new positions they could try out.

"Michael? Oh my goodness is that you?!?!" came a sexy female exclamation from his left.

Michael found himself staring at a face he hadn't seen in five years. "Danielle?"

********

Lila finally managed to politely disengage herself from Mrs. Marfaller. The lady had a good heart but poor hearing. It didn't help that she'd chosen to speak to Lila right in front of the speakers. Lila prayed she'd nodded correctly to everything the poor lady had been shouting at her. Set up and attendance duties usually fell to Christie but she'd had to go out of state to visit her sick mother. So Lila had stepped in. Most of these folks were here to see and be seen. Charity was just an excuse for that, but the money and publicity these types of events generated could not be denied.

Michael had been conversing with a tall stately redhead for awhile. His posture looked odd to Lila but she was unable to read his face as he was looking to the side, down at the redhead. She had her hand on his arm and as Lila moved closer to them, she leaned close to Michael, looking up at him through her lashes. An emotion Lila had never felt before consumed her, making her want to knock the woman's hand off Michael and push her into the pool behind her. Jealousy and anger mingled, if he was smiling at that hussy he was going into the pool right after her. Lila made it in time to hear the last bit of the redhead's conversation.

"- I've missed you so much."

Lila could now see Michael's face. He looked cold, remote and slightly annoyed. Lila felt herself relax and moved in closer so they would notice. Michael looked up at Lila and relief flashed across his face.

"Lila!" He pulled her close to his side. "Danielle, it was uh... interesting to see you again. We better get going."

"Oh wait! Aren't you going to introduce me to your little friend?"

Michael paused and sighed, "Danielle, this is my fiancée Lila. Lila this is Danielle, she's an old college friend."

Lila barely got out a "Nice to meet you" before Danielle interrupted.

"Oh common Michael, we were more than that." She turned to Lila with a faux friendly smile. "We were college sweethearts."

Lila couldn't believe the gall of the woman. "Yes, I remember the name. I think he asked you to marry him right?" Lila beat her to what was no doubt to be her next punch.

"Yes, I was the first." Danielle replied unfazed with a little triumph to her tone.

"And you responded by not only dumping him but by taking up with a new boyfriend a week later? Oh dear, if it sounds like I'm judging, but I'm not. After all, now I get to marry him! And I plan on being the last!" Lila gave her an exaggerated sickly sweet smile right back.

She had no idea how she'd managed to channel her inner Katie but it was exhilarating! Danielle's smile became brittle and she turned back to Michael.

"Your fiancée is a cute little thing isn't she? Interesting that you told her about us. So it seems you still think of me then? Oh but dear, where's your ring? Is it out getting polished or..." she made a little moue "are you having a little bit of a tiff?"

Michael responded to her. "Actually my mother's ring needed to be fitted. Lila and I have a previous engagement so we'll be leaving now. Goodbye."

Lila smiled and gave a little wave. If the bitch said another word she was going to end up in the pool. Part of her wished she would while the other shuddered at the idea of making the gossip sheets.

"Call me sometime Michael, we should catch up." Danielle called after them.

Michael stopped and turned his head to respond coldly, "No, I'd rather not. Goodbye."

He led Lila across the hotel lobby to the elevators. She was still agitated by the small altercation with Danielle and didn't seem to notice. He caught the words "bitch" "viper" "pool" and "gossip" but was too focused on the task ahead of him, to pay close attention. Watching her cut Danielle down to size had been amusing, surprising and had turned him on a little. Hell, who was he kidding? She'd turned him on by the simple act of breathing. She finally calmed down and came to awareness when the elevator doors closed.

"Where are we going?"

"I got us a room sweetheart."

Lila smiled, "Oh."

When she made to lean up to kiss him, he pulled back and pointed at the corner. There was a camera. She moved back to the other wall of the escalator and gave him a smile. His eyes moved over her torso and heated.

"Good. We have to talk."

Michael shook himself out of his contemplation of her breasts and asked, "Actually, yes we do but I was hoping to relax first... in bed."

The elevator came to a stop with a ping and the doors slid open. Taking her hand, he led her to their suite. As soon as he closed the door, he pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep kiss. His hands slid from the small of her back, up into her hair. Dislodging pins and causing the blue black mass to cascade down her back.

"I love the way you do your hair. No sticky stuff and it's so soft and silky." His fingers dug into it, close to the scalp. He fisted his hands and gently pulled. Lila was surprised at how erotic the gentle hair pulling felt. Her nipples pebbled. He loosened his hold of her hair and began to slowly run his fingers down the length of her tresses. Lila took the opportunity to stand on her tip toes and try to pull his head down for another kiss. As their lips came a few within an inch of each other, his hands gripped her hair again and he forced her still. He breathed on her wet, glistening lips. Thwarted, Lila whimpered and writhed against him, rubbing her breasts against his chest, side to side.

He licked her top lip and when he moved to her bottom lip, Lila intercepted his tongue with her own. He allowed it and their breaths mingled. Lila wrapped her lips around his tongue and sucked. After a second or so he pulled back.

"Michael what are you doing?" Lila protested, she was already wet and wanting him inside her.

Not answering, he released one hand from her hair and brought it up to her breast to pinch a nipple. Lila's body jerked in reaction. One hand clutched the back of his neck while the other rested on his shoulder. Slowly his hand began its decent and Lila's world shrunk to the movement of his hand down her body. When it reached her mound and cupped her, Lila shuddered. His hand molded the fabric of her dress to her pussy and his finger felt for, then pressed her clit. Moaning, Lila slumped against him.

"I want you to strip for me Princess."

He abruptly let her go and stepped past her into the room. Surprised Lila followed him. He hadn't turned on a light but it wasn't needed. The light of the full moon came through the huge wall to wall, floor to ceiling, window. The lights of the city glittered from below, giving them a breathtaking view. Michael sat down on a couch facing the window and turned to look at her with a smile.

"You up for it?" He asked.

"Yes." She replied. The moonlight and view gave her a feeling of enchantment. She felt sexy and powerful.

Moving in front of him, Lila unzipped the side of her dress. Bending down, she gripped the lower half of her dress and whipped it up and off of her, or tried. Gosh dang it. She'd forgotten the straps of the dress had snaps to attach to her bra straps. The stupid dress was still hooked to her bra. Sexy and powerful quickly gave way to embarrassed and flustered.

Lila sensed Michael getting up and walking toward her. She refused to look at him and tried to unsnap her bra strap from her dress. She felt his fingers brush hers aside, and finally she looked at him as he bent close to release the snaps. He was biting his lip to keep from laughing. When he unsnapped both sides Lila gave him a peeved push. He burst into laughter and pulled her into his arms. She resisted with both hands against his chest and gave him a grumpy pout.

"Ah sweetheart, what uh... were those?"

"They hold the dress straps over my bra straps so the bra doesn't show through. I'm such a dufus." she muttered.

"No, you're adorable. That was the best strip tease I've ever witnessed."

Lila took one of her hands from his chest, to punch him in his shoulder. He used the opportunity to pull her flush against him. She could hear the rumble of his chuckles beneath her ear and she found herself grinning despite herself. She had probably looked very silly.

His laughter quieted and he nuzzled her ear. Lila burrowed closer to him as his hands began to move up and down her back, making her aware that she now stood in her underwear and heels. Her breath hitched as he unsnapped her bra and continued running his hands up and down her back. On the next pass his hands moved lower to cup and squeeze her ass and then push her panties down. Lila stepped out of them, let her bra drop and looked up at him. The moonlight played in his blond hair, turning a few strands silver. His eyes moved down her body.

Once again his hand reached down to squeeze a nipple, once, twice then he moved his other hand to the mate to press them both at once. His hands looked dark on her skin, watching him fondle her made her knees weak. As one hand slid down her stomach, Lila again turned her gaze up to Michael's face. He was looking down at his hands, his face tense and focused. She shuddered as his hand cupped her wet pussy. Fingers speared through the small patch of hair to slide along her slit. They found her hood, shyly peaking out between folds. He pinched the small nerve ending gently between his thumb and forefinger. Lila shuddered and cried out his name. He used his index finger to press her button and then rub it. Lila shuddered some more and moaned his name. He kept up his fondling, pinching her clit and then pressing and rubbing it until Lila felt for sure his hand must be soaked with her moisture.

Suddenly she found herself facing the window. Using one hand to firmly grip her hip, Michael guided her to bend forward and brace her upper body against the window with her arms. Lila sensed him behind her and heard him unzip his pants. She felt the hot, hard head of his cock against the seam of her ass. Slowly he moved it down and used the broad head to caress her slit, up and down to coat it with her cream. Finally he centered himself and thrust. He didn't get too far. He hadn't taken her in this position before and he knew he felt big to her. One hand moved to her clit, and he began caressing her again. At her moan, Michael pulled back and thrust again and again until he had buried himself to the hilt.