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A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 01

By: DMV_05



The first time I met Mike was, incidentally, my first day working as a nurse. It was a big day for me in many ways. A couple of weeks before graduating, I had been offered the job of my dreams at a pediatric ward at one of the biggest hospitals in New York. After years of studying I was finally done, and it felt great. The two weeks I spent taking it easy after graduation had somehow removed all my fears and worries and all that was left was a feeling of confidence and power, like I had the ability to deal with anything life threw at me. And of course, life took me up on that offer.



 Morning rounds started at nine o'clock sharp. I'd had two hours to get acquainted with my new work place before that and so far, I wasn't disappointed. The nurses I had talked to seemed very nice and had done a good job making me feel like part of the team. After being showed around the ward, one of the nurses asked me to take a blood sample from five-year-old Aidan who had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. When I entered the room, Aidan, who was watching TV with his mother, quickly turned his head and looked at me.

"Hi Aidan," I said and sat down on a chair next to his bed. "My name is Rose, and I'm one of the nurses who will be taking care of you today."

"Rose?" he said and smiled. "That's my sister's name, too!"

"Oh yeah?" I smiled back. "Hey, what's that on your arm?" 

Aidan proudly pulled his sleeve up and showed me a rub-on tattoo of a black panther.

"It's a panther!" he said, beaming with joy. "Like Bagheera in the Jungle Book movie. Dr. Mike gave it to me yesterday. He always gives me tattoos every time I see him."

"Really?" I laughed. "How nice of him. Dr. Mike seems like a nice guy."

"He is," Aidan assured me. "He's the best doctor ever. Are you going to give me a tattoo, too?" 

Aidan's mom looked a bit embarrassed, but I was quick to answer. "Actually, I didn't bring any tattoos. But I did bring something else."

Aidan looked at me with wide eyes.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I'll show you," I said with a coy smile. "But first, I need to take a tiny little blood sample. What do you say?"

Aidan was quiet for a moment, seemingly thinking about it.

"Okay," he finally said. "Is it going to hurt?"

"You're just going to feel a tiny little sting," I reassured him. "It might hurt a little bit, but I'll do it so fast you won't have time to think about it. And before you know it, I'll show you what I brought for you."

I stung him while I was talking to him and he didn't notice anything. 

"There, all done," I said and held my hands out.

"But when is it going to hurt?" he asked.

I laughed. "See? I told you you wouldn't have time to think about it. And look what I've got for you."

I showed him a small blue bouncy ball and a big grin appeared on his face.

"Wow! You're a really cool nurse," he said while inspecting the bouncy ball from different angles. "Just like Dr. Mike. He's a really cool doctor."

"Well, it seems like I have to meet this Dr. Mike, then," I giggled.

 The first time I met Mike was during morning rounds. He was sitting in his office with Maya, one of the nurses, when I walked in. They were facing the computer and discussing one of our patients so they didn't notice me.

From behind, Mike looked almost like any other doctor in his white scrubs with a stethoscope hanging around his neck. It was only his short, brown hair that revealed that he was younger than most of his colleagues. As I grabbed a chair so I could sit down, he heard someone was in his office and turned around. I'm not sure if I believe in love at first sight, but it was definitely attraction at first sight. Somehow, everything about him was so manly. He had a straight jawline and perfectly tousled hair that looked as if it had been ruffled by the wind on his way to work. His brown eyes stared at me intensely and a slight smile appeared as he uttered a sentence I will never forget.

"I don't think I've seen you before."

I blushed and cleared my throat, the feeling of power and self-confidence suddenly substituted by insecurity and self-consciousness. 

"I'm Rose," I said and held out my hand to greet him. "Today's my first day."

The words that were supposed to come out sounding assertive, but in retrospect I doubt that I was ever able to convey that. Mike's smile grew larger as he took my hand.

"I see," he said, and his voice almost made me melt. He glanced down at what I first thought were my breasts, but later realized must have been my name tag.

"You're a nurse?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "I just graduated two weeks ago."

I immediately regretted telling him that. I wanted to come off as experienced and self-assured, not as a 23-year-old who didn't know what the hell she was doing.

Mike kept smiling. It felt as though his beautiful eyes were piercing right through me, exposing me and unveiling each and every one of my secrets.

"Then I believe congratulations are in order," he said. "I hope you'll like it here. It's great to have you on board."

As Mike and Maya changed the subject and started discussing our patients, his voice echoed in my head. It's great to have you on board. It had only taken me a few seconds to go from a confident nurse to a fourteen-year-old girl with a crush on her teacher, and in all honesty, no man had ever made me feel that way before. Granted, I could count all the guys I'd ever been with on one hand, but I had never been shy and insecure around men. It was quite the opposite, actually. I knew most men found me attractive. Not that I looked like a model, of course. I wasn't nearly as tall and would probably be told to lose a few pounds if I got the crazy idea to try to become one. But I had always been happy with the way I looked. I had dark hair that reached down to my waist, full lips and large, green eyes that people often complimented me on. I was used to being in charge and having the upper hand, but this time I was in the same room as a guy I was immensely attracted to and all I could think of was that there was no way those feelings were reciprocated. I wanted him to find me attractive too, but every time he looked at me I blushed or looked away because, somehow, I felt so vulnerable and exposed. 

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a nurse knocked on the door and asked Maya if she could help her with one of her patients. Maya excused herself and left me and Mike alone in his office. We can't have been quiet for more than a minute, but right then and there, it felt like an eternity. I tried to avoid looking directly at Mike even though all I wanted to do was to discover each and every inch of his body. Besides, he was looking me straight in the eyes, making me slightly uncomfortable. Finally, he broke the silence.

"So, Rose," he said. "You have a beautiful name."

I had never really liked my name, thinking it suited grandmothers better, but of course, coming out of his perfectly shaped mouth it didn't sound quite as bad. 

"Thanks," I smiled. "What's yours?"

He pointed to his name tag.

"Michael," he said, and I realized who Aiden had been talking so fondly about. 

I considered whether or not I should tell him about my little encounter with Aiden, but before I had made up my mind Mike told me his little sister was thinking about studying nursing but wasn't sure which colleges to apply to. He wanted to know if I was happy with the college I went to, and that made me realize I could try to find out if he was at least a little bit attracted to me too, without seeming too desperate.

"I got lucky," I started. "I loved my college, but the truth is I only applied because my ex-boyfriend went there. I didn't even know anything about it, but it turned out to be a good decision."

And just like that, Mike smiled and I knew my plan had worked.

"Your ex-boyfriend?" he asked, slightly amused at my directness. "Is he a nurse, too?"

"I wouldn't know," I said with a coy smile. "I haven't talked to him since we broke up. But I assume he is."

Mike was silent for a while, maybe thinking about what to say. I looked down, cursing myself and wondering if I had scared him off.

"I'll let my sister know what you said about your college," he said, and I thought that was it, it was his way of letting me know he wasn't interested. But then a mischievous grin appeared on his face.

"It's good you don't talk to your ex-boyfriend anymore," he said matter-of-factly. "That means he won't be upset that you're having lunch with me today."

 Seeing as our lunch break was only half an hour long we barely had time to eat, let alone get to know each other. After having bought two chicken bagels we sat down on a bench outside the hospital. 

"So, tell me again about your ex-boyfriend," Mike said and laughed. "You really caught my interest with that."

"Is it that surprising that I had a boyfriend?" I joked back.

The way he gazed into my eyes made it hard to look away. 

"What's surprising is that he was stupid enough to let you go," he said, almost poetically, and I resisted the urge to throw myself at him.

"I'm sorry," he continued. "I shouldn't have said that."

"I bet you say that to all the nurses at work," I teased.

Mike raised his eyebrows in response.

"The other nurses at work think I'm gay," he said with a grin and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Why is that?" I asked.

He hesitated about what to say.

"Because you're not the first one to pull that trick about your ex-boyfriend on me," he smirked, and I thought to myself I really should have chosen a less obvious way to see if he was interested. "And I've turned them down every time."

I didn't understand why he was telling me this. The more I thought about it, the more he was starting to come off as a narcissist. 

"So why did you want to have lunch with me?" I asked, trying to prepare myself for an answer I didn't want to hear. 

Suddenly his grin disappeared.

"Because you're the first one to make me feel so crazy with desire that I can't control myself."

And just like that I leaned over and kissed him.

 By the time my shift was over, I found myself standing at the door to Mike's office.

"I thought you'd gone home already," he said without looking away from the computer.

"I just got off," I answered, trying to build courage for what I was about to ask him. "And I wanted to ask you if you're busy tonight?"

This time, he turned around and looked at me. 

"What do you have in mind?"

I couldn't decipher his facial expression but decided to play it bold and hope for the best.

"You kind of left me hungry for more after our lunch," I said with a trace of a smile, attempting to sound flirty but not quite knowing if I'd pulled it off.

For a moment I thought I could see the desire in his eyes as he looked at me, perhaps stripping me of all of my clothes with his imagination. But in the blink of an eye, he changed. He looked down, embarrassed.

"Rose," he whispered. "I can't. I'm sorry."

Quietness fell like a rock hitting the ground. I felt more stupid and humiliated than I ever had in my entire life. I must have misread the signs. After all, he told me straight out that he had turned down all the other nurses. To him, I was probably just a young and naïve 23-year-old that wasn't worth the time or effort. He could get someone so much better than me, and he was painfully aware of it.

Somehow Mike must have read my mind.

"It's not like that," he assured me. "I wish I could say yes, I really do. It's just..."

"It's just what?" I snapped.

He took a deep breath.

"I want nothing more than to say yes," he admitted. "But before you make up your mind, there's something you need to know."

Before I had the chance to answer, he turned off his computer, took me by the wrist and led me out of his office and out of the ward. I almost had to jog to keep up with him, hoping no one would see us. When we got to the men's locker room, he cast a quick glance inside, then opened the door and made a sign for me to get in.

"I'm not going in there," I protested, even though my heart was pounding with excitement and I was dying to know what he was up to.

"Now is the time to be shy?" he teased. "Just get in. I won't do anything without your consent."

Without my consent? What was that supposed to mean?

He closed the door behind us and turned on the lights. Then he grabbed my arms and turned me around so that I stood with my back against the door with him right in front of me. He was breathing faster by now and gazed intensely into my eyes, and I realized I had never been this attracted to anyone before. All I wanted to do was to rip his scrubs off, but for some reason I felt paralyzed, waiting for him to make the next move.

"Rose," he whispered, and my heart started beating even faster as I felt him exhale. "I'm not your regular kind of guy."

"What does that mean?" I asked, almost inaudibly.

"Do you really want to know?" he countered, and I knew what answer he was hoping for. There was no way I was backing out now, so I nodded and a faint smile crossed his face. 

"Just remember," he said. "You can tell me to stop anytime and I will, no questions asked."

I didn't have time to reflect on what he had just said because from one second to the other he had grabbed both my wrists with his right hand and pinned them on the door, high above my head.

"What are you...?" I started, but he shut me up by pressing his lips against mine, tracing their outline with his tongue, then sinking his teeth into my lower lip. I closed my eyes and let out an involuntary moan, completely baffled by this unexpected turn of events. Mike looked pleased.

"You like it?" he asked, even though he didn't need an answer to see how turned on I was. But I nodded.

"This was your secret?" I asked, teasing him. "And here I thought you were going to tell me you're a convicted felon or something."

"Don't get smart with me," he warned, his eyes sparkling. Then he grabbed my hair with his left hand and gave it a hard tug so that my head was quickly pulled backward. I tried to lift it back up so that I could look at him, but he pulled it back again and made me look at the ceiling while he slowly kissed my neck and traced my jawline with his tongue.

"This is nothing," he continued in a menacing voice. "I don't do normal sex. I fuck, and I do it my way."

My breathing was getting heavier and heavier and I was finding it hard to control myself, the excitement growing inside me. I wanted to touch him so I tried to remove one of my arms from his grip, but he clenched his teeth and clutched his hand harder around my wrists.

"Did I tell you to move your arms?" he asked, sounding almost like a ferocious animal. I shook my head, surprised that I was feeling so aroused yet slightly afraid of what was coming.

"I told you I won't do anything without your consent," he murmured. "Do you want me to stop? I can stop, and we'll pretend like this never happened."

A rational voice inside my head was telling me that stopping would probably be the wisest choice. I didn't know this man and I had no idea what he was going to do to me. If things didn't end well, I'd still have to see him every day at work. On the other hand, I didn't want him to think of me as a wuss. Besides, I had never felt this way before. We were still fully clothed but somehow I was more excited than ever and I was dying to know where he would take me if we continued. 

"Don't stop," I begged, and those words seemed to have set him off. He let go of my arms long enough to pull off my shirt, then pinned them back against the door – behind my back, this time – and got down on his knees. He pulled my bra down with his teeth so that my breasts popped out and started licking and sucking on them, slowly getting closer to my nipples. I let out a cry as he suddenly sunk his teeth into one of my nipples and started circling it with his tongue. Without stopping, he spanked my ass and I startled. 

"Not that I have anything against public sex, Rose," he said, smiling, "because I'm actually a bit of an exhibitionist, too. But I don't think the men's locker room at work is the best place to be caught doing this." 

"Sorry," I said, biting my lip, not feeling sorry at all.

"Maybe a gag would be useful next time," he teased and, for some reason, I wasn't even shocked, I just beamed thinking that there might actually be a next time. Whatever this man wanted to do to me, I knew I'd go along with it only to satiate my hunger for him. 

Mike continued alternating between kissing and nibbling on my breasts, then slowly descended toward my belly. The lower he got, the harder it was to stand still because of the excitement. I was so wet and ready for him that at the pace he was going, I was sure he was going to drive me crazy. I unintentionally pressed my hips against him, which only made him slow down even more.

"So impatient," he laughed, and before I had the chance to answer, he pulled down my pants and his hand was on my thigh, slowly finding its way up. He pressed his fingers against my slit, teasing me, but I knew better than to say anything. He hadn't removed my panties and the fabric pushed against my pussy making me crazy with desire.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked while continuing to torment me. "Just say the word."

"No, please," I begged. "Don't stop! Don't stop, please!"

Mike slowly pushed my panties to the side and moaned loudly as I felt his fingers inside me. He pushed them in and out rhythmically and I moved my hips following the same pattern.

"God, you're so wet," he said. "So ready for me."

He started playing with his thumb on my clit, massaging it increasingly faster until I felt like I couldn't handle the intense pleasure anymore. As a reflex, I removed my arm from behind my back and tried to push his hand away. He quickly grabbed my wrist and tightened his grip.

"You don't get to decide how this ends," he warned me while unhooking my bra. "If I want to make you come, that's what I'll do. And I'll do it how I want and when I want. If you don't do as I say, I'll tease you until your legs are too weak to carry you and I won't make you come at all. Is that clear?"

I knew right then and there that he had me wrapped around his finger. I'd never thought I would let anyone speak to me that way, but Mike wasn't just anyone. God, that man drove me crazy. Without even thinking about it, I nodded.

"When I ask a question, I expect an answer," he said calmly.

"Yes," I said quickly. "It's clear."

His face softened and he stood up and started nibbling on my ear.

"I know it takes some time getting used to," he continued, "so I'm going to make it easier for you."

Using my bra, he tied my wrists together behind my back.

"Now we don't have to worry about your arms anymore," he said. "And you can stop worrying about what we're going to do next and just let me deal with that."

Who knew surrendering to someone else like this could be so sexy? 

"Turn around," he ordered and tugged on my bra. "And spread your legs."

I did as I was told. He grabbed my bra with one hand and pulled it down so I couldn't move my arms at all. Then I felt his mouth on my inner thigh, alternating between nibbling and planting gentle kisses, moving toward my pussy at a slow pace. I held my breath as he came closer and started licking my labia, sending shivers down my spine. He pulled my hips toward him while pressing my chest against the door, a position that made me feel both vulnerable and wildly aroused. 

"Don't move," he said with a stern voice, then he pushed two fingers inside me as he started licking and sucking on my clit.

"Oh God, Michael," I moaned, and immediately felt my butt sting from his spanking. I held my breath thinking he would stop because I was too loud, but he continued sucking on my clit more and more intensely and there was no way I could keep quiet. The lust and desire were so overwhelming that I wouldn't even have cared if someone had tried to walk in. My legs started trembling and I shouted his name over and over as waves of pure pleasure passed through my entire body. After what seemed like the longest and most intense orgasm I had ever had, I sank down onto the floor, no longer able to stand on my two feet. 


A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 01



"Oh no," Mike laughed. "I'm not done with you yet. But, with your permission, I think we'll continue at my place, because I'm not sure you can keep quiet for what I have planned." 



A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 02



Mike lived in an open-plan two-bedroom apartment, the perfect mix of old-fashioned charm and modern luxury. Apart from a big red brick wall adorned with abstract paintings, the living room and dining area were painted in different shades of grey and sparsely decorated. A large black sofa, half-empty industrial shelves and an expensive home video system made the place look like a true bachelor pad. In fact, the only thing that gave anything away about Mike's personality was an acoustic guitar hanging on the wall. 

"Would you like a drink?" Mike asked, retrieving two wine glasses from a bar cabinet. 

"Whatever you're having," I said, hoping a drink would help calm my nerves. He poured us a glass of chilled white wine each. 

Even though we had just had sex, I couldn't help but feel nervous. The first time had been at a hospital filled with people, and I hadn't been aware of his little secret when I followed him down to the locker room. This time I knew about it which made it impossible not to wonder what kinds of crazy things he might really be into. I'd asked myself more than once on the way home if I was sure about this, but while I couldn't think of a rational answer to that question, I couldn't bring myself to say no. Maybe I was too curious, or simply too horny, to let the opportunity slip. 

"What did you think about the locker room?" Mike asked, as if he had read my mind and knew what I was thinking about. I blushed. 

"I'd never done anything like it before," I admitted, and he laughed. 

"Was it that obvious?" I asked, slightly offended. 

"Rose, that was the best locker room sex I've ever had," he said in an attempt to win me back over. "And believe me, it wasn't my first time." 

"Such a gentleman," I teased. "You always know what to say, don't you?" 

Mike sat down on the sofa and signaled for me to come closer. I hesitated at first but walked over and sat down next to him. 

"I didn't tell you to sit down," he said in a low voice. I rolled my eyes, wondering to myself if he had actually implied I needed his permission to sit down. 

"I didn't tell you to sit down," he repeated. "And I don't appreciate the eye rolling." 

"I'm sorry," I said, getting back up and trying my best to keep a straight face. 

"Get down on your knees," he said, and I did as I was told. "I realize you're not used to this," he explained, "but this is the way I do it. You're an incredibly beautiful woman, Rose, and I'm so happy that you are here. But you need to know that it has to be this way, or not at all." 

"Why does it have to be this way?" I asked, wondering if he might actually just be megalomaniac, after all. 

"We all like different things," he said. "I like being dominant. And the women I've been with have all liked being submissive. Honestly, I think having sex this way has given them their strongest, most intense orgasms, and when you're used to that, it's not as much fun going back to regular sex anymore." 

"You are so full of yourself," I said laughing. "You really think you're that amazing?" 

Suddenly, Mike got a look on his face that made me think about a lion just about to attack its prey. He moved closer to me and nibbled on my earlobe. 

"You are so going to regret saying that," he whispered, then he grabbed my hair and gave it a pull. "What do you do if you want me to stop?" 

"I just tell you to stop," I whispered back, already feeling surprisingly excited considering he hadn't done anything yet. 

"No," he said calmly. "We're changing the rules because, this time, nobody will be able to hear you scream, and considering the things I have in mind for you, you're going to want to scream." 

I swallowed. 

"If you tell me to stop, I won't give a shit. I'm going to continue anyway because right now, all I want to do is to drive you crazy with desire. But if, at some point, you really want me to stop, say your name. If you say your name, I'll stop immediately and that means it's over for this time. Do you understand?" 

I nodded. 

"Do you understand?" he asked again, giving my hair a sudden tug. 

"I understand," I answered. 

"Good. Now open up my pants," he said, without letting go of my hair. I fumbled with my hands but managed to unbutton his jeans while looking up at the ceiling. There was a rather large wet spot on his boxers from pre-cum and I beamed with pride knowing that I had caused it. 

"I showed you my oral skills already," Mike said. "Now show me yours." 

He leaned back looking slightly amused as if waiting to see if I would meet his expectations, and I knew this was my opportunity to show him what I could do. I had always thought of myself as a self-assured and independent woman, but for some reason I was craving this man's approval, wanting nothing more than to please him. I pulled down his boxers and started kissing his shaft up and down while slowly caressing his inner thighs. His cock was fully erect and most of all I wanted to feel it inside me, but as I assumed that decision wasn't up to me, tasting it in my mouth would be a close second - at least to start with. 

I grabbed the base of his dick with one hand and started playing with my tongue on the tip while scratching his chest lightly with my fingernails. Mike groaned when I opened my mouth and let his cock slide in, wrapping my lips around it tightly. He grabbed my hair, but instead of pulling it or using it to hold my head in place, his hand followed me rhythmically as I sucked harder and harder. He lifted his hips and pushed his cock in deeper and deeper into my mouth, desperate to see how far he could go, and I was equally desperate to satisfy his hunger. I alternated between sucking hard and taking short breaks, teasing him with my tongue and my lips on the sensitive head. Not only did I want to make him come, I wanted to drive him crazy with desire the same way he had done with me. I wanted to feel his legs tense as he filled my mouth with his load, knowing that I'd been the one to make it happen. 

Unfortunately, Mike had other plans. Right as I could feel the head of his penis against the back of my throat, he yanked my hair and made me stop. 

"Mind-blowing," he said with a smile, and I couldn't help but feel pleased with myself. "I was tempted to let you continue, but I have other things planned." 

My curiosity was definitely piqued. 

"I haven't showed you my favorite room," he continued, leading me down the hallway to a spacious well-appointed bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a beautiful view of the New York City skyline. "I think you'll like it." 

He walked up right behind me, tugged my hair behind my ear and lightly kissed the nape of my neck, giving me goosebumps. He then moved his way up to my earlobe, sucking and nibbling on it, pausing only to tell me how beautiful I was and how hot he was for me. When I turned around he wrapped his arms around me, let them slide down to the small of my back and pressed my body tightly against his so that I could feel his growing erection, longing for him to be inside me. He licked and kissed his way to my mouth and probed his tongue inside, invading it as if marking his territory. I put my hands around his face, passionately returning his kiss, our tongues entwining as we got lost in the taste of each other. No longer being able to control myself, I grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled it over his head, revealing his broad shoulders and muscular torso that made my hunger for him explode. I pulled down his pants that were already buttoned up and released his swollen cock, but before I could do anything else, his hands closed around my wrists and he looked me in the eyes. 

"Have you ever been restrained during sex?" he asked, making me wet with desire for him. 

"No," I admitted, secretly hoping this would be the first time. 

"Come on," he said and led me to the bed. Then he walked over to his wardrobe and came back with three ties. He tied one around each of my wrists and secured them to each side of the headboard, leaving me in a vulnerable position that only made me want him more. 

"What's the third one for?" I asked innocently. 

He crawled up onto the bed with a mischievous look on his face, then tied it around my head, covering my eyes like a blindfold. 

"Ah, I see..." I said, biting my lip, thinking about all the things he might do to me. Mike laughed. 

"More like you won't be able to see anything at all," he corrected, "which makes it so much easier to have some fun with you." 

He straddled me, kneeling, and I could feel his warm breath on my neck. I tried to lean forward to kiss him but the restraints wouldn't let me, effectively keeping me right where he wanted. Not being able to move made me even more aroused than I already was, and the fact that he wasn't touching me was driving me wild with anticipation. I could do nothing more than sit and wait, humiliated, yet still loving every second of it. 

Suddenly I felt Mike unhooking my bra, then he pulled my shirt over my head and left it with the sleeves around my wrists. He moved his face closer to mine but didn't touch me. 

"How are you feeling?" he asked, making me blush. I knew what he wanted me to say. He wanted me to admit how aroused I was and how much power he had over me seeing as he could make me wet simply by tying me to his bed and making me wait for him to decide what he wanted to do to me. What is more, I couldn't get used to this feeling, this mix of submissiveness, vulnerability and arousal that I had never experienced before. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, and while I wanted nothing more than to let go and let Mike do whatever kinky things he had planned, I found it difficult not to try to analyze the situation in my mind. 

"I asked you a question," Mike repeated, interrupting my thoughts. "And I expect the truth." 

I blushed. 

"I like it," I confessed. "I don't understand why, but I like it." 

"Why wouldn't you like it?" he countered. "It's hot. You have no idea how sexy you are right now." 

"I don't know," I whispered. "I never knew I liked this kind of stuff." 

Mike laughed. 

"That's the beauty of trying new things," he said and planted a soft kiss on my mouth, then kissing and licking his way down to my breasts. He circled my nipples with the tip of his tongue which made me push my breasts up, craving more of his touch, but he pressed me down again. 

"Don't make me tie you up even more," he warned, and of course, I couldn't help but think of all the ways I could provoke him to make that happen. Admittedly, I was loving this even though I felt more powerless than ever. 

Mike continued teasing me, nibbling on one of my nipples and pinching the other one between his fingers. After a while, he moved down to my belly and then to my inner thighs, running his tongue up and down, teasing me every time he got close to my throbbing pussy. I moaned and pressed my hips down into the mattress, not sure how to survive this sweet torture. And just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore he pushed two fingers down into my wet cunt and I cried out in pleasure, my muscles stiffening but unable to move because of the restraints. 

"That's it baby," Mike said and slowly brushed his tongue against my swollen clit, sending waves of pleasure through my entire body. He rhythmically plunged his fingers in and out of my pussy, his tongue still lashing at my clit, and I moaned his name, begging him to let me come until my entire body stiffened and I got the sweet release I so desperately needed. Mike pressed down my thighs into the mattress with his elbows and, to my surprise, not being able to move either my arms or legs only seemed to intensify the orgasm, making me scream before letting my head fall back down, exhausted. Mike straddled me and untied the ties around my wrists, then turned me around, pinned my wrists down and plunged his cock into my dripping wet pussy. It was so sensitive that I whimpered with every thrust, a new orgasm building up as he pressed his hips against my ass. I felt completely worn out - in a very positive way - and just lay there, moaning as he fucked me faster and faster. As he cried out my name and shot his load deep inside me, I came a second time, the orgasm so mindblowing that I just mumbled incoherently before he fell down on top of me. 

"Fuck," he said between wheezing breaths. "That was something else." 

Realizing we hadn't even thought about dinner, Mike ordered two pizzas that we ate on the kitchen counter. All the sex had made me hungry so I devoured my food without saying a word. Finally Mike broke the silence. 

"That was an unexpected night," he said with a grin on his face. 

I laughed. 

"And a great first day at work," I added. 

"So," he said, pausing slightly as if consider whether or not he should continue. "What did you think?" 

I bit my lip. Just thinking about what we had done was starting to get me aroused again, as if three orgasms in one night wasn't enough. 

"It was amazing," I admitted. "I really wouldn't mind doing that again." 

He smiled. 

"You have no idea how much it pleases me to hear that." 

Suddenly my curiosity got the better of me. 

"So you always have sex like this?" I asked. 

"Like how?" he asked with an alluring smile. 

"You know..." I blushed. "Blindfolds, bondage, being bossy..." 

His eyes sparkled and a playful smile appeared on his face. 

"Bossy?" he asked, laughing. "It's called domination. And yes, I always have sex like this. But you're right, I probably am bossy as well." 

"See, that's the thing," I said. "I'm usually bossy, too. I like doing things my way. That's why I'm so surprised that I liked it as much as I did." 

"Liked it?" Mike teased. "I seem to remember a lot of incomprehensible moaning. And more than once, too. Remind me again how many times I made you come?" 

I laughed. 

"You're such a megalomaniac, you know that?" 

Mike got up from his chair and walked over to me, caressing my chin sensually, then raising it with his index finger and his thumb and gazed at me intensely. 

"If I didn't know that you start working at seven tomorrow, I would have taken you over my knee and made you regret saying that." 

I swallowed nervously, wondering if he had actually just said that. 

"But you have to go to bed soon," he continued in a sexy, low voice, "and getting to spank you for the first time would make me so uncontrollably horny that I would have to take you again, and that would keep you up all night." 

Part of me wanted to call him a megalomaniac again just to satisfy my curiosity and see what would happen, but I decided not to push the boundaries this time. 

"About what you said before insulting me," he whispered. "It's not uncommon for bossy and controlling people to secretly relish being dominated, humiliated and punished. I don't care how domineering you think you are because, after what I've seen today, I know there's a true submissive in you just waiting to be set free." 

I hesitated, not knowing whether or not I should answer that, but of course my big mouth couldn't keep shut. 

"Does that mean you're actually a little wuss in real life?" I temped, realizing I was once again getting excited. 

"That's it," he said and closed his hand around both my wrists before he pulled me up and turned me around. "Bend over." 

He pressed my chest down onto the kitchen counter and pulled down my pants. I opened my mouth to protest, but as if had read my mind, he shut me up. 

"I don't want to hear it," he warned, and I decided I was already too nervous to make things worse. " 

"I bet you haven't done this before?" he asked, and I shook my head right as his hand came down on my ass, the sharp sting making me cry out in pain. I squirmed trying to avoid the next one, but his hand hit my other cheek and I moaned, confused by the fact that I was getting wet again and that my desire arose from my submission and the humiliating situation I had allowed him to create. 

As he smacked my buttocks for a third and a fourth time, my legs quivered and I cried out - in pleasure this time - the sexual tension building up inside of me. Just as I was getting ready for the next one, Mike grabbed my hair and pulled me up, planting a kiss on my forehead. 

"Come on," he said calmly. "Let's take you home." 

"What?!" I exclaimed. 

"It's late, you need to sleep." 

"I can sleep later," I suggested, my ass burning and my pussy pulsating, desperate for release. 

"Don't argue with me," he said, as if reprimanding a child, and pulled my pants up. "I'm going to take you home and you're going straight bed. And you're not allowed to touch yourself. Trust me, I'd know," he added, once again reading my mind. 

With that said, he took me home and gave me a tender kiss on my cheek. 

"Goodnight Rose," he said and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I had a wonderful evening with you." 

"See you at work," I answered, biting my lip in the sexiest way I could, hoping I might make him feel just as hungry for more as I knew I would all night. How could I ever get enough of him?



A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 03



The following morning I went to work even more excited than the day before. Maya greeted me in the nursing office, handing me a fresh cup of coffee. 

"You left quickly after work yesterday," she said. "How was your first day?" 

I smiled, secretly thinking about Mike making me come in the locker room, the sex at his place and the spanking that left me wild with desire for him. 

"It was great," I answered, trying not to sound too cheerful, which was easier said than done. "It definitely exceeded my expectations." 

"Awesome," Maya smiled. "I'm sure you're going to fit right in." 

I printed out a list of all my patients, and Maya continued. 

"We have some things to take care of before morning rounds," she said, suddenly a more serious look on her face. "A fifteen-year-old girl came in last night after a suicide attempt. She took an overdose of her mother's morphine pills and her brother found her unconscious when he came home from work. She's stable now but we need to run some tests and talk to her mom, she's a mess. Apparently she was on a business trip and she blames herself for what happened since she left the kids home alone." 

"Oh God," I said, shocked. "Sure, let's go see her." 

Maya gathered what we needed for the blood tests while I finished my coffee, and we went to the patient's room. When we walked in, the first thing I saw was Mike talking to the mother who was crying. He turned around as he heard the door open and smiled when he saw me, but didn't say anything. I walked over to the patient who was lying in her bed with her eyes closed. 

"Hey," I said in a soft voice. "Are you sleeping?" 

She opened her eyes and looked at me but didn't say anything. 

"Your name is Ella, right?" I asked, and she nodded. "I'm Rose. How are you feeling?" 

Ella sighed and a single tear rolled down her cheek. "Not great," she said. "I'm still alive, aren't I?" 

"Hey," I said, putting my hand on her arm. "You might not believe me, but for what it's worth, I'm glad you're still here. Do you want to tell me what happened?" 

She hesitated, looking at her mom and then back at me. Maya was talking to Mike and Ella's mother and neither of them were paying us any attention. 

"I just wanted to disappear," she whispered. "I couldn't stand it anymore." 

"You couldn't stand what?" I asked and sat down next to her. 

"School," she muttered. "I'm so sick of everything. I've been bullied ever since I started high school and nothing helps. Yesterday I found this in my locker." 

She reached over to her jacket and handed me a crumpled up note from her pocket on which someone had written "you're disgusting, do us all a favor and go kill yourself" in big red letters. Appalled to see what had triggered her suicide attempt, I tore up the piece of paper and threw everything in the trash. 

"Whoever wrote this obviously has their own problems," I said, stroking her hair in an attempt to comfort her. "That's why they feel the need to put others down. It has nothing to do with you, you have to trust me on that." 

Suddenly tears spilled from her eyes, leaving long streaks of mascara behind. I squeezed her hand as she cried, trying to wipe her tears away with my thumb. Mike turned around when he heard her. 

"Rose, can I see you for a minute?" he asked. 

I excused myself and followed him outside. 

"I don't know what to do with her," he said, concern in his voice. "Her mom admitted that there were signs but that she never thought she would actually do anything. She took over sixty pills without her mom even noticing. Apparently she had been planning this for some time, and honestly, I don't want to know what would have happened if her brother hadn't called an ambulance." 

"Did you see the note?" I asked. 

"What note?" 

"She found a note in her locker yesterday," I explained, telling him what it had said. 

"Shit, who would do something like that?!" Mike exclaimed with a troubled look on his face. "I feel so bad for her. We'll have to do something to help while she's here, I'm just not sure what would be best. Maybe I should refer her to Dr. Summers, he's a really good child psychiatrist that I know. Honestly though, I wish I could find the punk who wrote that note and make them regret it." 

"It would feel good, wouldn't it?" I agreed, touched that the man who had fucked me like an animal the day before was such a kindhearted and devoted doctor. 

"Anyway," he said, trying to change the subject. "I was really happy before I heard about this case." 

"Oh yeah?" 

"Yeah," he said, looking at me tenderly. "Because I knew you were going to be at work." 

Suddenly a playful smile appeared on his face. 

"But don't get used to it," he teased, "because I'm usually not all hearts and cuddles. Now get your ass into my office because morning rounds start earlier today and I don't like it when nurses keep me waiting." 

Since Mike had to work during my lunch break, Maya and I went out for some fresh air and a bagel. There was a little park right behind the hospital, so we sat down in the newly cut grass to enjoy the sun. 

"I saw you talking to Dr. Miller today," Maya said, raising her eyebrows. 

"Dr. Miller?" I asked, confused. 

"Yeah, Dr. Miller. Ella's doctor," she explained. 

"Oh, you mean Michael!" I blurted out without thinking. 

"First name basis already, huh?" she teased. "Wow, second day at work and you're already friends with the hottest doctor of the hospital." 

I almost choked on my bagel which made Maya laugh. 

"Come on, you have to admit he's pretty hot," she said playfully, making me blush. 

"I didn't say he wasn't," I pointed out, smiling. 

"Sorry to burst your bubble," she said, "but I'm pretty sure he's gay. Well, me and every other nurse who has ever worked with him." 

Her comment made me laugh out loud, thinking about the conversation Mike and I had had the day before. 

"I think you're right," I said, not knowing if I was trying to hide the fact that we had already had sex or if I just wanted any potential adversaries out of the way. "He seems like a good doctor, though." 

"All the kids love him." Maya sighed. "If only I could find someone like him. It's so typical, the best guys are always unavailable, and you know why? Because they date each other." 

I chuckled, thinking I sure as hell wasn't going to let her in on my secret. Mike was all mine. 

With five minutes left of my lunch break, I went to Mike's office to see if he was there. The door was slightly open so I peeked my head inside and saw him sitting in front of the computer, writing on one of his patients' medical records. 

"Excuse me, Dr. Miller," I said in my sexiest voice ever. 

Mike turned around with a hint of a smile on his face. 

"Well, hello nurse Hayden," he replied, and I almost melted. "What brings you here during your lunch break?" 

"I've been suffering from severe sex withdrawal symptoms," I said playfully, not quite believing I was actually using such a cliché way of flirting with him. "And I think you're the only one who can help me." 

Mike laughed but decided to play along. 

"Is that so?" he said, taking my hands and drawing me down onto his lap. "It sounds pretty serious. It's definitely going to take longer than you have left on your break, though." 

"I don't mind," I tried, moving my face closer to his. "I need to prioritize my health, you know." 

"And I need to prioritize you," he said before leaning forward slowly until our lips met, a moment that almost felt magical. I moaned as his tongue intertwined with mine and softly played on the edge of my lips, longing for more than he could give me right then and there. It took all the strength I had to break the kiss, and by the looks of it, Mike was equally reluctant. 

"So," I said, trying to change the subject. "What are you working on?" 

Mike turned us around in his chair and showed me the computer screen. 

"I'm multitasking," he explained. "Aiden needs a referral to a diabetes clinic, and we're getting a new patient this afternoon that I'm reading up on. Her name is Kylie, she is five years old and she's having a tonsillectomy tomorrow. Will you admit her when she gets here? Or even better, we could go see her together." 

"Yeah, sure," I said. "I'll let you know when she arrives." 

I didn't want to leave Mike's office, but I was already ten minutes late. Just as I was about to leave, I blurted out something I had absolutely not planned on asking, at least not until much later. 

"Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?" 

"Dinner as in a date?" Mike asked. "I don't really do dates, Rose..." 

I could have just accepted his answer and left, but for some reason I thought he was worth fighting for. 

"So we'll just buy some takeout and have dinner at my place, like friends. We can even throw in a few beers and play videogames, if that makes you feel better." 

Mike grinned. 

"When you put it like that, how could I say no?" 

"It's a date then!" I exclaimed, and just as Mike opened his mouth to contradict me, I held out my hand to stop him. "Just kidding!" I added, teasing him. "It's just a casual, unhealthy dinner for two friends... who are insanely hot for each other." 

Laughing, Mike grabbed my wrists and smacked my ass, then pinned me against his office door. 

"Can't wait," he whispered, moving in as if to kiss me but stopping right before his lips touched mine. When he let me go I really thought my heart had stopped beating for a moment. 

I tried to pull myself together and was just about to leave his office when someone knocked on the door. Maya was surprised to see me. 

"There you are!" she said. "I've been looking for you!" 

I opened my mouth to say something - although I didn't know what exactly - but Mike interrupted my racing thoughts. 

"I was just telling her about a new patient we're getting this afternoon," he explained. 

"Five-year-old Kylie?" Maya asked. "She just got here. She's waiting in the dining room with her mom. I was thinking Rose and I could admit her together." 

"Actually," Mike said, "I'm going to go see her straight away so Rose can just come with me." 

Maya looked slightly bothered. "I just thought she might need some help. It's only her second day at work, after all." 

"She'll be fine, Maya. Thank you," Mike said in a firm tone that no one would dare question. "Oh, and while you're here, little Jake in room eight hasn't been able to keep anything down today so he needs a PVC and an IV drip as soon as possible. I would appreciate it if you could take care of that while Rose and I go talk to Kylie and her mom. The prescription is in his medical record." 

I blushed and looked down at my feet, mainly because of the uncomfortable situation, but also because I didn't want anyone at work to find out about me and Mike and come to the conclusion that I had a habit of sleeping around with anyone or that I was only doing it to get some kind of benefits at work. Seemingly, I wasn't the only one who found the situation awkward. 

"Of course," Maya said, swallowing her pride. "I'll take care of it straight away." She turned to look at me. "Rose, just let me know if you need anything, okay?" 

"I will," I promised. "Thank you." 

I waited a few seconds after she had left to make sure she couldn't hear us, then turned around and glared at Mike. "Really?" I asked, not quite expecting an answer. 

"Okay," Mike said in an attempt to justify his behavior. "I've only known you since yesterday but I'm pretty sure you can admit a patient all by yourself." 

"Of course I can!" I blurted out. "But that's not what I meant." 

"What did you mean, then?" Mike asked, smiling, doing his very best to seduce me. 

"Never mind," I sighed, obviously falling right into his trap. "You're hopeless, you know that, right?" 

"I'm very aware of it, nurse Hayden," Mike teased, making me laugh. "Now let's go work!" 

We walked to the dining area where a little girl with long blonde braids was sitting, drawing on a piece of paper while her mom was reading a book. 

"Mrs. Hale?" Mike asked. 

The woman smiled and got up, as did her daughter who then proceeded to hide behind her. 

"I'm Dr. Miller," Mike said and shook Mrs. Hale's hand before kneeling down to say hello to his new patient. "And who do we have here?" he asked. 

The girl peeked her head out from behind her mother's legs and looked at Mike but didn't say anything. 

"Hmm..." Mike rubbed his cheek, making me smile. "I think your name is Bob. Am I right?" 

The girl giggled. "I'm not Bob!" she exclaimed. "I'm Kylie!" 

"Kylie?" Mike asked, pretending to be shocked. "Well, I have to say that fits you a whole lot better than Bob." 

Kylie laughed. 

"My name is Dr. Mike," Mike said. "And this pretty lady is Rose, your nurse. We're going to take care of you while you're here at the hospital with us. You and your mommy are going to get your own room. Would you like to see it?" 

Kylie nodded shyly and Mike showed them the way to the room we had prepared for them. Kylie looked around, fascinated, and climbed up onto the bed. 

"Has your mommy told you why you're here?" Mike asked. 

Kylie looked nervously at her mom, then back at Mike. 

"We've talked about it at home," her mom explained, "but she's really scared." 

Mike nodded, then turned to Kylie again. 

"I heard that you're going on a space adventure tomorrow," he said and immediately caught Kylie's attention. 

"A space adventure?" she asked, her eyes wide open. 

"Yeah," Mike assured her. "Didn't your mommy tell you about that part? She must have forgotten! Would you like me to tell you?" 

Kylie nodded, suddenly more enthusiastic. 

"Well, you're going on a space adventure because your tonsils are a little big," he explained, pointing at her tonsils as he spoke. "When you travel in space, you're not allowed to have breakfast because you travel so fast that your tummy might feel a bit ill if there's food in it. So tomorrow morning, nurse Rose is going to put a tiny little airplane on your arm." 

"An airplane?" Kylie asked, astonished. "I can't have an airplane on my arm. They're too big!" 

"Not this kind of airplanes," Mike told her. "This is a really tiny airplane. Maybe nurse Rose can go get one and show you?" 

I understood what he was talking about, so I went to the nursing office and came back with a peripheral venous catheter, through which she would receive intravenous fluids the next day. I removed the needle so all that was left was a little plastic device with wings and a small, flexible catheter. I handed it to Mike, who told Kylie to have a look. 

"This is the airplane I was talking about," he said. "Nurse Rose is going to put it on your arm, and then you're going to get special space food through this little tube. Do you want to hold it for yourself?" he asked and Kylie nodded. "If you want, you can pretend that your teddybear is going on a space adventure and put it on his arm." 

Kylie smiled. 

"After you get that space food," Mike went on, "we're going to take you to a special room where all the space travels take place. It has a lot of cool machines with tons of buttons, just like in a spaceship. You'll get to lie on a special bed and a nurse will cover your nose and mouth with a mask that has special space air in it, because when you travel all the way to space, you need to bring special air from the earth. And after that, you and your mom will get to count from 10 to 0, and I promise you that before you're done counting, you'll be on your way to space already. But the special thing with this space adventure is that it's secret, so after it's done, you might not remember everything. You'll wake up in your bed and your mom will be there, and those tonsils that used to be a bit too big are going to be just the right size." 

Kylie was mesmerized by his captivating story and I was moved to see how great he was with kids. I thought about Aiden and the way he had talked about Dr. Mike and realized that he was perfect for this job. Not only did he treat sick children but he also made their stay at the hospital so much more enjoyable, and that was truly remarkable. 

I played with Kylie for a little while so that Mike could talk to her mother without being interrupted. I had found some gauze in my pocket which we had used to attach the PVC on her teddybear's arm and Kylie pretended that she was giving him special space food. 

"Are you and Dr. Mike going to travel in space with me?" she asked. 

"No, honey, I'm sorry," I said. "There are going to be other doctors and nurses there, though. And Dr. Mike and I will be with you before they take you down to the space travel room, and we'll be here waiting for you to come back." 

She didn't say anything for a while, probably taking in all the information she had been given, but suddenly she looked up at me again. 

"I like you," she said. "And I like Dr. Mike. You're really nice." 

"That's so sweet of you," I smiled, my heart warming for the little girl. "I think you are really nice too." 

"Is Dr. Mike your boyfriend?" she asked. 

I laughed. 

"No, he's not my boyfriend," I said. "We just work together." 

As we continued to feed her teddybear with pretend space food, I kept hoping that sometime in the near future, Mike would actually want me to be his girlfriend and not just a co-worker that he secretly liked to have sex with. 

Ten minutes before my shift ended Mike appeared in the door to the nursing office. 

"Ready?" he asked. "If I recall correctly, you challenged me to some kind of video game, right?" 

I laughed and pulled up a chair next to mine. 

"Give me five minutes. I'm almost ready to leave." 

"So, what are we playing?" he asked innocently. "Not that it matters, of course. I'm confident enough to say I can kick your ass at any game." 

"I'm definitely up for some ass-kicking," I teased, making Mike's eyes sparkle with excitement. "But unless you keep quiet and let me finish my work, you won't see how this ends." 

"Okay, okay," Mike sighed. "I'll be good. But if you're not done when your shift ends I'm going to throw you over my shoulder and walk out of here, no matter how much you kick and scream." 

"I promise," I said in a sweet voice and quickly finished what I had been working on while Mike waited by my side. 

After I had logged off the computer we got changed and went to Mike's car. 

"So, take away it is, then?" I asked and Mike nodded. 

"I know the perfect place," he said and took me to a Chinese restaurant not too far from work. We placed our order and sat down in a booth while we waited for our food. Both of us were quiet for a while, not really knowing what to say. Finally, I broke the silence. 

"What did you mean when you said that you don't do dates?" I asked, not able to hold it in any longer. 

Mike smiled awkwardly. 

"I meant just that," he said. "I don't go on dates." 

"You've never been on a date before?" I asked, dismayed. 

"Of course I've been on dates," he snapped. "I just don't do it anymore." 

"Why not?" I tried to hide my disappointment. 

"It's just not a lifestyle that fits me," he explained. "I'm not boyfriend material. I've been with women, it's just that I'm not looking for anything serious." 

"Maybe you'll change your mind once you find the right one," I suggested, getting slightly irritated at his stubbornness. 

Mike reached forward and held my hands. 

"Rose," he said, looking me in the eyes. "I've only known you for two days but I can already say with certainty that you're an amazing woman. But as much as I like you it doesn't change the fact that I'm not looking for a relationship. Not now, not ever." 

I tried my best not to show him how much that had hurt me. I didn't know anything about him, yet I was convinced that I couldn't let him go. I wanted to think it was about more than just the sex, although at that moment, I wasn't completely sure. I tried to tell myself that it would be best to walk away, that he would eventually break my heart and that it would just hurt more the more invested I got. But a part of me couldn't let him go, so I succumbed. 




A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 03



"Okay," I said, forcing myself to smile. 

"Okay?" he asked. 

"Okay," I repeated. "I respect that. We already said this wasn't going to be a date, so I'm not going to make it one." 

"Do you still want to have dinner with me?" he asked nervously. 

"Of course I do," I said and squeezed his hands. "Besides, I have to kick your ass at Gran Turismo. Did I tell you I have three older brothers who love video games?" 

"Oh oh," he laughed. "I didn't see that one coming." 

"You're going to regret what you said about kicking my ass, Miller," I quipped. 

Mike looked me in the eyes with a mischievous smile, then leaned forward and kissed me. 

"You're amazing, Rose," he whispered. "I'm so happy you came into my life." 

I didn't have time to think about the fact that he was giving me such mixed signals because the waiter waved at us and told us our food was ready. 

"It's on me," Mike said and grabbed his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. Inside it was a small photo of a beautiful baby girl with brown shoulder length hair and big blue eyes. 

"Who is that?" I asked. 

Mike looked confused so I pointed at the photo. 

"That's my niece," he told me and handed his credit card to the waiter. 

"She's beautiful," I said. "She looks a lot like you. Is she your only niece?" 

"No, I have two more nieces and a nephew," he said and smiled at the photo. "But this little girl owns my heart." 

Why did he have to be so adorable? I tried to forget about our conversation about dating as we walked back to the car. He might not think of himself as boyfriend material but that didn't mean I couldn't try. And, if it really didn't work out, at least I'd have an extremely hot sex partner. Maybe that would be enough? At least that's what I tried to assure myself. 

After a ridiculously delicious dinner and over an hour of playing Gran Turismo, Mike and I relaxed on the sofa and opened a bottle of red wine. He hadn't made a move yet and I was almost certain it had something to do with the fact that he had told me he wasn't looking for anything serious. I already knew I wanted to sleep with him anyway, but I appreciated his thoughtfulness and decided I could use the situation to my advantage and get to know him a bit better. 

"So, have you always worked at the same place?" I asked. 

He shook his head. "I started at the University Hospital of Brooklyn and worked there for five years before I changed jobs." 

"Did you work in pediatrics there as well?" 

"Yeah," he said. "It's always been pediatrics. I knew that straight away." 

"You're great with kids," I said and smiled. 

"Only because I love them," he answered. 

"Ever think of having your own one day?" I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer to that question, but I had to ask. 

"No," he said and looked down. "I love kids, I really do, but I don't want to be a dad. What about you?" 

"I've always wanted children," I admitted. "Two kids. A boy and a girl, hopefully. Two of my brothers have kids though, so I have three little nephews that I get to spoil until it's my turn." 

"What's it like having three older brothers?" he asked, changing the subject. 

"Well, I haven't had a lot of boyfriends," I said with a chuckle. "My brothers scared most of them away when I was younger. That's why I don't bring anyone home to meet my family." 

"You've never brought a guy to meet your parents?" he asked, surprised. 

"Have you?" I countered. 

"That's a fair question, I assume," he said, smiling. "I've only ever brought one girl home to meet them, and that was a long time ago." 

"I'm going to assume it didn't work out as you planned, and that it's the reason why you no longer go on dates," I joked. 

He raised an eyebrow. 

"Actually, it went really well," he said. "We dated for almost five years. But you're partly right because I haven't dated anyone after we broke up." 

I bit my lip, realizing I had touched a sore spot. I wanted to ask him what had happened but I didn't want to pry or make him uncomfortable. 

"Look at us getting all serious," he said and gave me a wink. "How do you feel about kicking my ass at Gran Turismo once again?" 

I schooched over to him and put my hand on his thigh. 

"I have a better idea," I whispered, and suddenly he straddled himself on top of me and started unbuttoning my blouse. 

"I've been waiting for you to say that," he groaned and kissed me passionately, sucking and biting on my lower lip. He pushed my blouse off my shoulders and down my arms and unclenched my bra, baring me to him. 

"God," he murmured. "You are so beautiful, Rose. I can't control myself when I'm with you." 

"Don't," I said in a soft voice. "Don't control yourself." 

He pulled his shirt over his head and started unbuttoning his pants while I slipped off my jeans. His hand grabbed the waistband of my panties and as he pulled me toward him I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, wishing I could devour him whole. 

"Turn around," he said. "I want you on all fours." 

I did as I was told without hesitating. Suddenly a harsh hand came down on my ass leaving a sharp, stinging sensation behind that quickly melted into delicious pleasurable release. 

"We never got to finish last time," he said between breaths. "Do you know how much I've wanted to do this since then?" 

His hand came down on my ass again, harder this time, making me moan. As he continued spanking me, he used his other hand to rub my clit between each blow, driving me crazy and desperate for more every time he stopped. After what seemed like an eternity, Mike stopped, put his hand between my shoulder blades and pressed my chest down toward the couch, leaving my ass in the air. He slowly kissed my inner thighs, then bit into the supple flesh, making me quiver. Seconds later, he gently touched my clit with the tip of his tongue and I curved my back and pushed my pussy down as far as I could, hungry for more. Mike threw his arms around the small of my back and pressed my hips down while his tongue burrowed into my groin, licking me faster and faster. Just as my legs started shaking and I knew I was about to come, he stopped. 

"What the...?!" I cried out, but he interrupted me. 

"You don't get to come until I have," he said and delved into me, making me gasp for air. He gripped my ass with one hand and grabbed my hair with the other, holding my head steady as he fucked me harder and faster. I found being unable to move while he was using me for his own pleasure incredibly erotic. His cock drove deeper and deeper into me, every sharp thrust of his hips bringing me closer to orgasm. 

"I'm going to come," I moaned. 

"No, you're not," Mike stated in a matter-of-fact way. "You're not allowed to come until I tell you to." 

"Michael, I can't control that," I whimpered, groaning as he dove into me without mercy. 

"Yes, you can, and you will," he warned. "Because if you come before I tell you to, I will spank you so hard you won't be able to sit down at work tomorrow. You're going to have to walk around with your ass burning like crazy, reminding you who is in charge of your orgasms." 

"Oh, God," I moaned, surprised that his commanding tone only made me more turned on than I already was. "I need to come, Michael, please," I begged. 

"No," he said sternly and gave my hair a hard tug, tilting my head back. "Not yet. You're going to come at the same time as me, not before. Is that clear?" 

"Yes," I said between breaths. "It's clear." 

"Good." 

He continued ramming his cock into me while using his fingers to rub my swollen clit. His heavy breathing and loud moans of pleasure indicated that he was about to climax and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold it much longer. When I finally felt his warm load shooting into me I let go, my muscles stiffening and my toes curling as orgasmic waves pulsed through my entire body. 

"Oh, my God, Michael!" I screamed, unable to hold back as the orgasm took over my body. "Fuck!" 

Michael laughed. "You're so fucking amazing," he panted and fell down on top of me. "That was exceptional." 

I turned around and looked at him. "I've been told I'm an exceptional lover," I joked. 

"That you are, my dear," he said and kissed me sensually, leaving me almost breathless. "And I'm one lucky man." 

"It's getting late," I said, throwing a glance at Mike's watch. "Would you like to spend the night here?" 

To my surprise, Mike smiled. "That would be wonderful," he said and pulled me into his arms.



A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 04



Sorry for the delay – I've been a bit sick. Hope you enjoy the next part of Mike and Rose's story! 

*** 

We woke up early next morning, startled by Mike's cell phone that managed to buzz its way to the edge of my bedside table before he picked up. 

"Hello?" he muttered. Suddenly he shot up from the bed, his eyes wide open. "Shit!" he cried out. "I started thirty minutes ago!" 

I couldn't help but smile, enjoying my view as he slipped into his pants and pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his perfect body. 

"That was one hell of a date," he said and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. "And now it's time for my walk of shame." 

I raised an eyebrow as he hurried into the bathroom. 

"I thought we agreed it was just a friendly dinner," I pointed out. 

"You're right," he shouted from the bathroom and came back a few seconds later with a toothbrush in his mouth. "Would it be so bad if I changed my mind about that little detail, though?" 

"It seems to me like you change your mind every other minute," I said, trying not to sound hurt. 

"I know," he admitted. "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise. How about dinner tonight?" 

"I don't get off until ten," I said. 

"Tomorrow night, then," he suggested while tying his shoes. 

"Tomorrow night works. Your place or mine?" 

"Oh no," he said and kissed me. "I'm taking you to a restaurant." 

"Sounds great," I smiled. "But right now you'd better hurry up because you're forty minutes late and guess what? Nurses don't like it when doctors make them wait either." 

"I'm going to miss that sassy mouth of yours today," he said and blew me a kiss before leaving. 

As the door closed behind him I fell back down onto my bed. I was already wide awake so there was no point in trying to get a few more hours of sleep. Besides, I couldn't get my mind off Mike and his dubious behavior, and I needed to vent. Fortunately, no one was a better listener than my best friend Nicole so I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. 

"Would you look at that?" Nicole said sarcastically when she picked up. "She finally calls back. And at eight o'clock on my day off, too. What are you doing up this early, anyway? Are you at work?" 

"Not yet," I said. "My shift starts at two." 

"Which reminds me, today is your third day working as a nurse and you still haven't called to tell me all about it. Is it that bad?" 

"Bad?" I laughed. "Not at all. So far it's been great, actually. I really like it. What about you?" 

"The first week was horrible," she said. "I was so nervous I'm surprised I didn't actually pass out. Would you believe one of my patients had a cardiac arrest on my second day? I'd never even done CPR in real life before. My legs were like jello the entire time!" 

"Wow," I said, impressed that she had handled a situation that serious. "Seems like I've had it a bit less stressful, then." 

"Tell me everything!" Nicole said enthusiastically. "What have you done so far?" 

"Just the usual," I said. "Taken blood tests, placed IV lines, administered medication, had sex with one of the doctors..." 

"You did what?!" she blurted out, obviously shocked. "On your second day of work?!" 

"Not on my second day," I corrected her, amused. "It was the first day actually. And then once again the day after." 

"You're such a slut, Rose," she teased. "How did that even happen?" 

"Honestly, I don't know," I said. "We just ended up having sex in the locker room when my shift was over and then he invited me to his place and we had sex again." 

"You did it in the locker room?!" Nicole couldn't believe her ears. "If I'd known how they treat their new employees I would have sent them my CV straight away." 

"I admit, it was a nice surprise," I said, laughing. 

"Well, I want to know everything," Nicole demanded, getting ready for the latest news about my love life. "Is he hot? How was the sex?" 

"Try to picture the hottest man you've ever seen," I told her. 

"All right," she said innocently. "I'm picturing Brad Pitt with very little clothing." 

"I meant someone you've actually met," I teased. "But that's okay, I can still make my point. Michael is ten times hotter than that. And the sex was out of this world. I can honestly say it's by far the best sex I've ever had." 

It was the best I could do without revealing any details, and I wasn't sure I wanted to do that yet. 

"Okay, first of all, no one is hotter than Brad Pitt," Nicole said in defense of her celebrity crush. "But you got me so curious that I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. Did he make you come?" 

"Three times the first day and once yesterday," I bragged. "And I've never had such intense orgasms before." 

"God, I'm so jealous of you right now," she whined. "I haven't had sex in months and you got yourself a sexy boy toy without even looking for one." 

"Yeah, well, I'm kind of hoping for more than just sex," I sighed. "But he's giving me mixed signals." 

"I guess he must be as good as you say if you've fallen for him this fast," she said with a chuckle. "Seriously though, guys can be tricky so have patience. He'd be nuts if he didn't like you back but you might have to give him some time." 

"You're probably right," I agreed. 

"Of course I am," she said, probably with more confidence than she felt. "I want to meet this guy, by the way." 

"Let's not get carried away," I laughed, well aware of how pushy and up-front Nicole could be, especially when it came to judging whether or not a man was good enough for her best friend. 

"You just wait," she said in a sly voice. "I happen to know where he works. Who knows? Maybe I'll drop by for a quick visit one of these days." 

"All right, Nicole, you win," I conceded. "But give me a little while so I can try to figure him out, okay?" 

"Fair enough," she said. "But figure him out fast because you know I'm dying of curiosity over here. When my love life is non-existent I need juicy gossip about yours!" 

I giggled, imagining her reaction if she found out exactly how juicy my love life was. 

"I'll let you know," I promised before we said goodbye and hung up. 

I got to work twenty minutes early that afternoon, having had nothing to do at home. As soon as I entered the ward I knew something was wrong. The tension was so thick that I could have cut through it with a knife and there was no one in the corridor. I went to the nursing office to see if Maya was there but it was empty, as were the doctors' offices. I heard voices from further down the corridor that I followed to Ella's room. A group of at least ten nurses and doctors were standing in front of the closed bathroom door and her mom stood a bit further away, her eyes filled with tears, together with a nurse who was doing her best to comfort her. Mike was trying to talk to Ella through the door but she kept telling him to go away and leave her alone. My heart sank when I saw a crushed lightbulb, glass pieces and some drops of blood on the floor, realizing that this was a new suicide attempt. 

"Ella, please let me in," Mike pleaded. "Open the door, I just want to talk to you." 

"I don't want to talk!" she shouted. "I have nothing to say! Just leave me alone!" 

Her mom started crying again and the nurse who was standing next to her put her arm around her shoulder and promised her that Ella was going to be okay. I walked over to the bathroom door and turned to Mike. 

"Can I try?" I asked in a low voice. 

He didn't say anything for a few seconds, as if wondering if I could actually be able to help or if I would just make things worse, but finally he nodded. 

"Ella," I said, sounding a lot more confident than I actually was. "It's me, Rose." 

"I don't want to talk!" she repeated. 

"You don't have to," I assured her. "But there's something I'd like to tell you. You don't have to listen if you don't want to, but I hope you do." I got no answer so I continued. "I think I know how you feel. You feel like there are so many horrible things going on and you can't handle the pain anymore. You think it's impossible or things to get better and that no one understands how much you're suffering. Am I right?" 

She didn't say anything. Instead, she started sobbing. 

"Do you want to know how I know this?" I asked, not expecting an answer. 

"How?" she asked, almost inaudibly, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. 

"I know because I've been there, too," I explained, trying not to pay any attention to Mike's look of surprise and concern. "But I'm not anymore. I used to think things would never get better but they did. Can you please open the door for me? We don't have to talk if you don't want to but I'd like to give you a hug if you'd let me." 

Everyone's eyes were on me until Ella finally unlocked the door. When I opened it I found her crying on the floor, her eyes swollen and red, blood dripping down from the palm of her hand. I sat down next to her, wrapped my arms around her and held her while she cried, giving her some temporary relief from all her troubles. 

Once Ella had calmed down, I went to the nursing office to read up on my patients. I'd received several pats on the back from co-workers who were impressed by how I had handled the situation and said they were glad to have me on their team. I would have been thrilled if it weren't for the fact that my co-workers now knew that I'd suffered from some kind of mental illness when I was younger, something I wasn't too keen on letting people know. Of course, I didn't regret telling Ella because ultimately it turned out to be just what she needed to let someone in, but I couldn't help but wish that nobody else had heard it – especially Mike. 

Just as I had expected, the subject would come up sooner or later. It didn't take long before he appeared in the doorway, trying to sound as professional as possible so as not to raise any suspicion among the other nurses. 

"Rose, do you have a minute?" 

"Yes, of course," I said politely and followed him to his office. Mike closed the door behind me and gestured at me to sit down 

"You did a wonderful job with Ella earlier," he praised. "I'm impressed." 

"It was nothing," I said, feeling uncomfortable. "Anyone could have done it." 

"But we didn't," he pointed out, holding my hands. "We tried but she didn't want to listen. Then you came and you got through to her." 

I didn't know what to say. 

"Anyway," he continued. "She's medically stable so I'm referring her to a psychiatric ward where she can get the help she needs. Maybe it would help if you came with me when I go talk to her about it." 

"Absolutely," I said. 

We sat there for a while, not knowing what to say. Finally Mike broke the silence. 

"The things you told her... Were they true?" 

This is it, I thought. This is when I tell him that they were in fact true, and he realizes he doesn't want to be with anyone with that kind of baggage and dumps me. But I couldn't lie to him either, so I told him the truth. 

"I had an eating disorder when I was younger. It got pretty bad. I made a serious suicide attempt when I was seventeen and was hospitalized for a while." 

"I'm so sorry," he said, caressing my hands. "I would never have guessed. I'm glad you told me, though." 

I hesitated. 

"Look," I said with a lump in my throat. "I understand if you don't feel the same way about me now that I told you. If it makes a difference, I got over it and I've been healthy for five years now. I shouldn't have said it in front of everyone but I wanted to reach out to her and it was the only way I could think of." 

"Rose," Mike said and looked me in the eyes. "You did a wonderful thing today and you should be proud. You saw a girl who needed help and you did what it took to gain her trust. Do you realize what that must have meant to her? I'm so proud of you. As for the rest, why on earth would I not feel the same way about you now? If anything, it makes my feelings for you even stronger. You're an amazing person. We all have our baggage and you shouldn't be ashamed of yours." 

He leaned forward and kissed me tenderly, his hands on my cheeks. 

"Besides," he continued while playing with a strand of my hair, "our past shapes us into who we are. The way you talked to Ella today showed me that your experience has helped you become a caring, empathetic nurse with the ability to help so many children. No matter how much you suffered, you can choose to turn your past into something positive, just like you have. You're incredible, you know that?" 

"Wow, you sure know how to woo a girl," I smirked in an attempt to keep myself from getting too emotional. 

"That's where you were supposed to say 'Thank you, Michael, you're right as always'," Mike said with a grin, making me laugh. "You know, I can't believe we've only known each other for three days. I've never felt this way about anyone after such a short time." 

"Me neither," I admitted, desperately hoping that he would want more than just sex, after all. 

"There's something I want to tell you, though," Mike said. "I feel like I owe it to you considering that you shared something so personal with me." 

I swallowed, not knowing what to expect. 

"I've only ever been in one long-term relationship," he said. "She was my high school girlfriend and I was crazy about her. We dated for almost five years but something happened and we broke up." 

He paused and looked away, and it seemed like he was trying to hold back his tears. 

"I'm not ready to talk about it so please don't ask me to," he pleaded. "All I know is that I don't think I ever want to get married or have kids, and I don't want to lead you on if that means I'm going to have to break your heart when you realize you want more. You are such an amazing woman and I can't help but think that you deserve better." 

"I just want to be with you," I told him. "Marriage and kids aren't on my agenda yet." 

"But they will be," he said. "You should be with someone who will be ready to give you those things when you're ready for them." 

"I don't want to be with anyone else," I argued. 

Mike didn't know what to say. 

"Please don't do this," I begged. 

"Do what?" 

"Don't throw away something potentially wonderful just because things didn't work out with her. I'm not her. Maybe things will be different this time. You owe it to me to at least give it a shot and see what happens." 

"I don't want to end up hurting you," he whispered. 

"You'll hurt me more if you give it up without even trying," I said. "I don't care what happened with your ex. We don't have to decide that it's going to last forever. We can just take it one day at a time and enjoy it while it lasts." 

"You've really got me under your spell," he said. "But I'm not a perfect boyfriend." 

"I can live with that," I assured him. "Nobody's perfect." 

He squeezed my hand. 

"All right then, my sweet Rose," he smiled. "Will you be my girlfriend, for better or for worse?" 

"I will," I replied, beaming with joy. 

Mike wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. 

"I must have the hottest girlfriend in the world," I said proudly. "Even in those scrubs, you make me want to rip all your clothes off and make you come right here in my office." 

"I wouldn't mind at all," I coquetted, leaning over and biting his lower lip gently enough so as not to hurt him but hard enough for him to moan, imagining what would happen next. 

"I can't believe I'm actually saying this," he whispered a few minutes into our steamy kiss. "But it's getting late and we really need to go talk to Ella and her mom." 

"I know," I agreed. "This is just so much more fun." 

Mike chuckled. "Tomorrow," he promised. "First we'll have dinner, then we'll go back to my place. I have some things I want to show you." 

"Do I dare ask?" I teased. 

He grabbed my hand and placed it on his stone hard erection. 

"If I start telling you about all my sex toys, this thing will never go down, trust me." 

"Oh God," I moaned. "Please tell me..." 

"No," he said strictly and smacked my ass. "Now get out of my office so I can get ready to talk to Ella." 

"Fine," I said, pouting my lips in an attempt to make him just a little bit more aroused. 

In that moment, tomorrow seemed so far away. 

Mike got off work late the following day and drove by my apartment straight after to pick me up for our date. I had spent at least two or three hours going through my closet and trying on different outfits for the evening, none of which seemed good enough. I wanted to look sexy yet sophisticated and reveal enough of my body to make him crazy with desire all night without looking cheap. I had already decided on my underwear – a black and pink lace bra with a matching thong and garter belt and a pair of seductive silk stockings – all of which I hoped he would rip off the minute we got back to his apartment. Right before he knocked on the door I slipped into a short black dress with a plunging neckline that perfectly accentuated my breasts and ass while still leaving a tiny bit to the imagination. 

"Wow!" he exclaimed as I opened the door and let him in. "You look amazing. That's one beautiful dress." 

"You should see what's underneath," I teased. 

"Maybe we should just skip dinner and spend the evening in your bed," he joked, and I knew that if I'd said yes, he wouldn't even have hesitated. It was tempting, of course, but I'd been looking forward to our first real date so I wasn't ready to skip the first half. 

"Dinner's on," I said with a grin. "Restrain yourself." 

"I'll do my best," he laughed. "But I have to admit you're not making it easy." 

"Why don't you go ahead to the car," I suggested while slipping into my black pumps. "I'll be right behind you." 

"Rose!" Mike bellowed, pretending to be shocked. "Are you trying to trick me into walking in front of you so you can check out my ass?" 

I bit my lower lip, realizing he was onto me. 

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said innocently. 

Mike took a step closer to me, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in, giving me a long, passionate kiss. 

"Are you sure I can't convince you to skip dinner?" he whispered in my ear. "I really do want to see what's underneath that dress." 

"All in good time," I said, even though part of me wanted to rip off his clothes and fuck him frantically right then and there. "Let's go." 

Like a perfect gentleman, Mike reached the passenger side of the car and held the door open for me before he sat down in the driver's seat. 

"So, where are you taking me?" I asked as he drove out of the parking lot. 

"To my favorite place," he said. "Trattoria Giovanni di Roma. I treated the owner's daughter about a year ago when she got pneumonia and he invited me to his restaurant as a thank you. I think you'll like it, the food is exquisite. Not quite as exquisite as you, though," he added with a wink, "but a close second." 

"Well, you'll get me for dessert," I laughed. "Any way you want me." 

"Stop it," he moaned. "Otherwise I'm going to have to pull off to the side of the road and fuck you right then and there." 

"Dinner first," I teased. "But that's definitely something we have to put on our to-do list. I've never had sex in a car before." 

"Oh God," he wailed. "You make me so hot. I hope you meant that because I'll hold you to your word!" 

"Trust me", I said, imagining the two of us having hot, sweaty sex in a secluded parking lot. "I meant it." 

"Who knew there was a little exhibitionist lurking inside of you?" Mike chuckled. 

"I sure has hell didn't," I laughed. "I've learned a lot about myself these past few days." 

"Maybe I'm not the best influence," Mike said, and I wasn't sure if he was serious or not. 




A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 04



"Well, I like it," I assured him, and the hint of a smile appeared on his face. "It's freeing, somehow. So whatever it is that you do, keep doing it." 

"If you insist," he said innocently and grinned. "But the car sex will have to wait because I have other things planned for tonight that I think you're going to like." 

Those words alone made my vagina tingle with anticipation and I wondered to myself how sex could possibly get any better than it had been with Mike so far. However, I didn't have time to give it much thought as we pulled up into a small parking lot. 

"Perfect timing," Mike said, glancing at his watch. He got out of the car, opened my door and held his hand out. 

"How come I've never seen this place before?" I asked, realizing I'd walked past it so many times and never noticed the restaurant. 

"That's what's so great about it," Mike explained. "It's low-key, quiet and calm, just the way I like it." 

He opened the door and the delicious scent of fresh, homemade bread wafted out to the street. 

"After you," he said and gestured for me to go inside. 

The trattoria was much smaller than I had imagined but very cozy and intimate. The hand-hewn wood flooring and antique burgundy walls created a warm, welcoming atmosphere and were decorated with copper pots and vintage accessories that added a rustic touch to the restaurant. 

A young waiter turned around and waved at us when he heard the door close. 

"Michael!" he exclaimed, giving him a hug. "It's so nice to see you again!" 

"You too," Michael said before putting his arm around my waist. "Mario, this is my girlfriend Rose. Rose, this is Mario, he's the owner's nephew." 

"Your girlfriend?" Mario asked, surprised. "That's a first! He's never brought a date here," he explained to me. "You must be really special." 

"Special, huh?" I teased, looking at Mike. "I like the sound of that." 

Mike smiled impishly, turned to Mario and addressed him just loud enough for me to hear. "Don't make me regret choosing this restaurant for our first date," he hinted, making Mario laugh heartily. 

"It's an honor to have you here, Dr. Miller," he said, grinning and making a slightly exaggerated bow. "I'll be at your service all evening, trying my very best to suppress my curiosity. Please, come with me." 

He led us to a small secluded table in the farthest corner of the restaurant. 

"We saved you your usual table," he explained as he pulled out my chair. "Can I offer you something to drink? On the house, of course, for our favorite customer." 

"How about a bottle of red wine that goes well with the meatballs?" Mike suggested. 

Mario nodded politely. Once he had left the two of us alone, Mike held out his hand and smiled. 

"I know this is going to sound like Lady and the Tramp, but Giovanni does make the most amazing meatballs I've ever tasted." 

"Meatballs sound great," I said, taking his hand. "I'm going to take a wild guess and assume you're a regular here." 

"Is it that obvious?" he asked even though he already knew the answer. "Alicia was a very sweet little girl, and to be honest, the first time I came here it was to see her again. But it turned out the entire family is pretty awesome and the food is to die for, so I ended up coming back for takeout when I worked late nights. Cooking for one isn't really my favorite thing to do, I guess." 

"Tell me something about you that I don't know," I challenged, changing the subject. 

"I would have told you that you're the first date I bring to this restaurant," Mike said, trying to be smart, "but I think Mario beat me to it." 

"Not to mention I already knew you don't usually date, so I've always assumed that you just picked up random women and brought them straight home," I said arrogantly, not quite sure where I got the confidence from. Luckily, Mike didn't have time to answer as Mario came back with a bottle of red wine I didn't recognize, pulled the cork, poured some into a wine glass and placed it before Mike. 

"My uncle recommended a 2007 Viticcio Chianti Classico," he said. "It has a deep, earthy aroma with a hint of black cherry that goes very well with the meatballs." 

Mike held up the glass slightly, examining the wine like a true connoisseur. He swirled the glass, smelled the wine gently and took a small sip, letting the wine sit on his tongue for a few seconds before swallowing it. 

"Perfect," he approved, and I couldn't help but feel a little unworldly and inexperienced. "And would you please bring us an antipasto plate before the meatballs?" 

"Coming right up," Mario said and scurried off to the kitchen. 

"So," Mike said in a cautionary tone. "You were enlightening me about how I used to pick up women before I met you." 

I blushed and squirmed in my seat, instantly regretting my smart mouth. 

"I'm sorry," I faltered. "I didn't mean to..." 

"You wanted me to tell you something you didn't know about me," Mike stated, cutting me off. "Well, I'm going to let you in on something I've wanted to tell you ever since we met." 

I swallowed. 

"There's a restroom right over there," he said calmly, pointing at a door on the other side of the restaurant. "I want you to go in there right now, remove your panties and give them to me." 

I stared at him, trying to figure out if I had heard him correctly. 

"Now," he hissed. "Unless, of course, you prefer to do it right here?" 

"Michael," I stuttered. "I'm not going to do that..." 

"I'm not going to tell you again," he said firmly. 

I gave him a questioning look but he glared back without so much as a blink so I finally admitted defeat, stood up and walked to the restroom without saying a word. After making sure I had locked the door I splashed some water on my face and looked at my reflection in the mirror. What the hell was I doing? My new boyfriend had just taken me out for dinner and told me to take off my panties in public. He wanted to make a point and prove that he could make me do anything he wanted simply because I had made a smart comment about his non-existent love life that he didn't appreciate. If anyone else had done this a week ago I would have lashed out, making sure to let them know what I thought about presumptuous, domineering people like that. Yet here I was, slipping out of my underwear, realizing I was so hot for this man that I had pussy juice trailing down the inside of my thighs. 

Shaking my head at my own behavior, I hid my wet thong in my hand, opened up the restroom door and walked back to our table, my head held high. Mike followed me with his eyes and gave me a challenging look, waiting to see if I had done as he had told me. Deciding to play with him a little, I sat down, arranged my dress and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, looking straight into his eyes all the while. He raised an eyebrow and tried to suppress a smile that his eyes couldn't hide as he realized what I was doing. Finally, I placed my hand right in front of him on the table and opened it, revealing a black and pink lace thong. He left it there for a little while and I realized the situation was so insanely hot that I couldn't even be bothered worrying about anyone seeing what we were up to. 

"You truly are a special woman," he admitted, his boyish smile revealing how much he actually enjoyed being challenged. Then, as he saw Mario come out of the kitchen with a big antipasto plate and a basket of freshly baked bread, he curled his fingers around my panties and crumpled them up, biting his lower lip as he felt how damp they were, and quickly stuck them in his pocket. 

"How is your evening so far?" Mario asked politely. 

"It's absolutely perfect," Mike said, winking at me. 

I felt like a giggling schoolgirl attempting to keep a dirty secret and suppressed my laughter until Mike and I were alone again. 

"You're totally loving this," he said matter-of-factly. "Maybe I should try it at work sometime. I wouldn't mind knowing you were going commando under your scrubs all day." 

The thought of it turned me on more than I could have ever imagined. 

"Maybe you could pretend that you needed my help with something," I suggested provocatively. "You could ask me to swing by your office and then fuck me right on top of your desk knowing that any of our colleagues might walk in on us and get the surprise of a lifetime." 

A wicked smile slid across Mike's lips and I could tell his heart had started beating faster just by looking at him. 

"Do you have any idea what I'm going to do to you tonight?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm not going to show you any mercy whatsoever after the way you've been playing with me." 

"Please, tell me," I whispered, leaning closer to him. 

Mike leaned forward and came within inches of kissing me, but right as I closed my eyes and parted my lips, he picked up an olive from the antipasto plate, put it in his mouth in the most seductive way I'd ever seen and left me hanging. He grinned victoriously as I took a deep breath, my pussy clenching with arousal. His tongue curled around the olive, exaggerating every move, and I found it impossible not to imagine it playing with my swollen clit instead. 

"I'm going to have you lie on your stomach, then tie your right wrist to one bed post and your left wrist to the other one," he whispered, his voice deep and husky with desire. "Your ankles will be attached to a spreader bar, just in case the thought of closing your legs crosses your mind. You're going to lift your ass up in the air so that I can flog you while you count each strike out loud. When your beautiful ass is red and your pussy is dripping wet with excitement I'll slam my hard cock into it over and over again until you beg me to let you come. And when I think you deserve it I'll stick a finger in your butt and probe your throbbing clit with my tongue, stroking it faster and faster until your legs start shaking and you beg me not to stop."  

I swallowed, breathing heavily with arousal. Since I wasn't wearing any panties, my tight black dress was getting wet and I fidgeted on the edge of my chair, trying my best not to jump him right then and there. 

"Before you know it you will start screaming out my name over and over," he continued, his eyes not leaving mine for a moment. "Your body will convulse in impending tremors as the orgasm sends you over the edge, but I will throw my arms around your waist and press your hips down so that I can continue playing with your clit until your muscles can't take it anymore and you fall onto the bed, panting. And even though you'll be so exhausted that you can't move your body, I will ram my cock in and out of your dripping pussy until I finally get my release and fall down on top of you." 

"Oh, fuck..." I moaned, worried that I might, in fact, go crazy with desire. "I'm going to have to use the restroom soon so I can wipe all the pussy juices off my thighs." 

"Don't you dare," Mike warned. "I want you soaking wet when we get back to my place." 

"I can't wait that long," I groaned, biting my lip. 

"I should get a medal for this," he chuckled. "Trust me, Rose, any other restaurant and I would have thrown you over my shoulder, carried you into the restroom and banged you against the wall without giving two fucks about the other customers." 

"Remind me again why you chose this restaurant?" I joked, well aware that he wouldn't back down. 

"Because it's a lovely, romantic little trattoria," he said, smiling. "Besides, fucking in the restroom isn't really something you should do on your first date. It's more of a second-date or third-date thing," he added with a wink, making me laugh. 

"All right," I surrendered. "Let's change the subject, have a nice, romantic date and go back to your place for some hot, kinky fucking." 

Mike chuckled. 

"I must really have the most fantastic girlfriend ever!"



A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 05



Two hours later, Mike parked his car in the basement garage and led me into a large mirrored elevator. As soon as the doors closed he lost whatever patience and self-control he had left and pushed me up against the button panel, accidentally pressing several floor buttons with my ass, while kissing my neck vigorously. 

"I want you so bad," he murmured between two kisses. "I can't wait one more minute. I just want to rip all your clothes off and take you right here." 

I moaned, the thought of having sex in such a public place turning me on more than I had ever imagined. Swept away by passion and lust, I opened up his belt and the button of his pants and released his throbbing cock that was already hard as wood. I managed to slide out of his tight grip, got down on my knees and took the whole thing into my mouth, the head of his cock pushing into my throat as I sucked him intensely. He moaned loudly and desperately, unable to keep quiet as the elevator slowed down and stopped on the second floor. Fortunately, there was nobody there, so I continued, alternating between circling his sensitive tip with my tongue and pressing his dick deep into my throat. The way he bucked his hips and closed his eyes in pleasure made me hungry for a lot more than we could pull off in an elevator without getting into serious trouble if anyone caught us. 

Right when I was getting ready for Mike's salty cum in my mouth, he grabbed my hair and pulled me up on my feet. He threw a quick glance out the door when the elevator stopped on the fourth floor. 

"You're lucky," he whispered as he slowly pulled my dress up, caressed my buttocks and inserted two fingers into my wet pussy. "Still nobody there." 

I let out a heavy moan, aroused by the sudden intrusion and the thought of being filled with something else, and my pussy clenched tight around his fingers, wishing they were his cock. He pulled them in and out several times, harder and harder, until the elevator stopped again and he pulled them out one last time and sucked them clean. 

"You are so ready for me," he said, more as a statement than a question. "Come on." 

He led me to his apartment door, his pants still opened, and fumbled in his pocket for the keys. As soon as we were inside he ripped off my coat, pressed me up against the nearest wall and rammed his cock into me, fucking me like it was our last night in this world and he didn't want to lose a second. I grumbled in protest as he pulled out reluctantly, wanting to prolong the pleasure. 

"Come with me," he said, then he grabbed my wrist and led me into his bedroom. "Do you remember what I told you I would do?" 

I nodded silently, remembering how aroused he had made me at the restaurant. 

"Lie down on your stomach," he ordered, and I did as I was told. 

Mike opened the button drawer of his cupboard and pulled out two pieces of purple rope that he used to tie my wrists to the bedpost, as far away from each other as he could. 

"You were a boy scout?" I asked, laughing nervously. 

"Oh, Rose," he said and caressed my cheek. "I don't think they teach boy scouts to do the things that I'm about to do to you now. I want your ass up in the air," he added strictly and smacked it with his bare hand. "Don't let it fall down or I'll punish you. Is that clear?" 

"Yes, Sir," I panted, and although I couldn't see Mike's face, I knew that he was smiling. 

"Have you seen a spreader bar before?" he asked and held out a 20-inch metal bar with leather cuffs attached to each end. 

I shook my head. He secured my ankles in the restraints and tugged at them to make sure they were tight enough, then he took a few steps back and observed the scene. I felt extremely vulnerable and exposed in the position he had put me in and the anticipation was almost too much for me to handle. 

"I know what's missing," he said and came back with a black leather blindfold that he used to cover my eyes. "Much better. Don't you think?" 

"What are you doing to me?" I asked, finding it hard to believe that a situation like this one could turn me on so much. 

I couldn't see what Mike was doing but I sensed that he was getting closer and, finally, I felt his breath on my neck as he twirled a strand of my hair around his fingers. 

"It's not about what I'm doing to you," he whispered. "It's about what I'm going to do to you." 

I swallowed. 

"I'm going to make you suffer," he continued while slowly moving his fingers down my neck and sliding the straps of my dress off my shoulders. "I'm going to spank your pretty ass, fuck your wet pussy and lick your swollen clit until you beg me to let you come." 

I bit my lip, quivering with anticipation. All of a sudden I felt a sharp, stinging sensation on my butt cheek that made me lose my breath for a split second. 

"This is a flogger," he said. "The suede feels a bit different from my hand, doesn't it?" 

I nodded just as the flogger came down a second time. 

"That's two," Mike said. "If I recall correctly, you were supposed to count, not me." 

The third time it came down even harder. 

"Three," I mumbled, almost inaudibly, once again puzzled as I realized that Mike humiliating me and inflicting pain on me was turning me on. How was that even possible? 

I continued counting out loud as Mike flogged me, pausing shortly to caress my ass between each blow. After the tenth strike he took a longer pause and inserted a finger into my pussy that was soaking wet from his rough treatment. 

"Are you okay?" he asked, and I nodded. "You remember your safe word, right?" 

I nodded again. 

"Trust me," I said. "If you take it too far, I'll let you know." 

That was all he needed to hear. The flogger came down once again and the crack of the leather on my skin sent a thrill down my spine. 

"Eleven," I whispered and accidentally lowered my ass to avoid the next blow. 

The next sting was a lot more intense. 

"I told you to keep your ass in the air," he warned. "This is a paddle, by the way." 

After the twelfth blow my ass was really sore. Mike put down the paddle and I wondered how he had known that I had been close to my limit. He climbed into bed and started kissing my flaming butt as if he was trying to make amends with it. Then, without a single word, he positioned himself right behind me on his knees and his hips surged forward slowly, his cock finally invading my pussy. I let out a cry of pure pleasure as he grabbed my hips and pulled me closer, trying to get as far into me as possible. He fucked me rhythmically, faster and faster as his breathing got heavier, and I tried to push my ass back at him so that he could go even deeper but the rope around my wrists made it impossible. My arms were completely extended and pointing in different directions and every time I tugged on the ropes I got closer to orgasm, as if the inability to move enhanced the passion. 

When Mike pulled out and started licking my pussy from behind I thought I would explode from pleasure. He teased me by letting his tongue run up my inner thighs and plunge in and out of my cunt while deliberately avoiding my clit. With his right hand he pulled my dress down, exposing my breasts, and started playing with my erect nipples. 

"How much do you want me?" he teased, knowing I would have done or said anything he wanted in that very moment. 

"I want you so bad!" I shouted desperately. "I want to come, Michael. Please, make me come!" 

"All good things," he whispered, and I could actually hear the smile on his lips. 

He got back up on his knees and plunged his dick into me again, making me groan. Keeping my head in place with a tight hold of my hair, he rammed into me over and over again until he couldn't delay it anymore. He pulled out quickly and spurted a huge load of come all over my back and my ass that was still sore, and presumably red, from the spanking. 

"Oh my God," he panted and bent down to give me a quick kiss. "That was fucking amazing!" 

He smeared the cum all over my ass and took the opportunity tease me a little more by licking my butt crack. 

"We're going to leave it like that while I make you come," he said and a second later I startled as I felt his tongue directly on my swollen clit. He sucked on it intensely for a short while before stopping abruptly, leaving me desperate for more. "But first, I need to go get a few things." 

I heard him walking around in the bedroom, fumbling in what must have been the bottom drawer in his cupboard. When he came back to the bed he cupped my breasts, then he started pinching and pulling my nipples while kissing me on the neck. 

"Do you like this?" he asked, and I nodded. "Good," he said, and immediately I felt a sharp, stinging sensation in first one and then both nipples. 

"These are nipple clamps," he explained. "They are connected by a chain. If I pull on it, this happens." 

He gave the chain a light tug and the clamps dug into my sensitive nipples, hard enough to cause some pain, but still very pleasurable and exciting. Both the pain and pleasure intensified as the pressure on my nipples increased, sending shivers down my spine. Mike tugged at it again, harder this time, and I couldn't decide if I wanted to keep still to avoid the sweet torture or move my chest forward to further intensify the wide array of contradictory feelings I was experiencing. 

Without letting go of the chain that was weighing down the clamps, Mike pressed my chest down into the mattress. He slowly ran his tongue over my pussy lips and then deep into my vagina before continuing up to my clit, sucking and licking it with fervid passion. 

"I want to try something on you," he said, taking a short break. "You might not like it at first but give it a try because it can really enhance your orgasm. It's the smallest butt plug I could find." 

Butt plug? I opened my mouth to protest but stopped myself. After all, I had tried so many new things these past few days that I never thought I would do, even in my wildest imagination, and I had ended up loving them. I had never really understood how inserting anything in my ass could feel good, but then again, I had never thought of spanking as hot either, so I decided to give the butt plug a shot. 

"I want to try it," I said. 

"I'll start slowly," Mike assured me. "And you know what to say if you want me to stop." 

I nodded, nervous and excited at the same time. Mike pulled on my cheeks and softly ran his tongue from my vagina to my anus where he stayed for a while, tracing circles around it. It felt different yet erotic, and the thought of it being dirty and forbidden only made it even hotter. I gasped as he stuck a lubricated finger into my ass, my muscles tightening around the intrusion. I would have lied if I had said I enjoyed it. It didn't hurt at all but it was a little uncomfortable and I couldn't get used to the feeling as he thrust his finger in and out. Determined not to give up too soon, I let him continue but felt somewhat relieved when he stopped. 

"Are you okay?" he asked with concern in his voice. 

"I'm fine," I said, because I wasn't not fine, either. 

Mike continued where he had left off, licking and sucking on my clit that was desperately waiting for release. He sucked faster and faster, with increased desperation, until I suddenly felt something invade my ass. I moaned as I felt the butt plug go all the way in and he left it there as he continued pleasuring me with his beautiful mouth. Somehow it seemed like all my senses were enhanced. Every touch of his tongue made my clit throb and my spine arch, and when he plunged two fingers into my pussy I screamed out his name, overwhelmed by the intense rush of pleasure he was giving me. I pulled on the ropes that secured my wrists to the bedpost and clenched my thigh muscles, desperately trying to regain at least some kind of control over the sensations that were taking over completely. When Mike saw my reaction he quickened his pace, thrusting his fingers in and out of my cunt, recklessly sucking my clit and tugging at the chain of the nipple clamps at the same time, sending me into an orgasm that I could never even have imagined being able to experience. I cried out his name over and over again until my body was so exhausted from all the quivering that I fell down onto the bed, my eyes closed and a discrete smile on my lips. 

Mike removed the blindfold, untied the ropes around my wrists, unbuckled my ankles from the spreader bar and gave my arms and legs a quick massage. Then he pulled out the butt plug and removed the clamps, making me squeak as I felt the blood come rushing back to my sore nipples. He crawled closer and began to softly trace circles around them with the tip of his tongue. They were so sensitive that I couldn't help but squirm every time his tongue came remotely close, even though I was so drained I could hardly move. 

"Sleepy?" he asked and kissed me tenderly on the nose. 

I simply nodded, too tired to give him a proper answer. He wiped the cum off my ass with a fresh towel and went to his cupboard where he found a t-shirt that was probably a little bit too small for him. 

"Lift your arms up," he commanded and slipped the shirt over my hands and head before letting it fall down around my body. 

"Thanks," I mumbled, already half asleep. 

Mike put his arms around me and without letting go he lay down, made himself comfortable and pulled the blanket over the two of us. 

"I haven't been on a date this great in a really long time," he confessed, pulling me closer into his embrace. "Thank you." 

"Any time," I murmured before falling asleep. 

The following three weeks passed faster than I realized. I spent most of my waking hours working, and whenever Mike and I were both off at the same time, we were either at his apartment or mine. We had a hard time keeping our hands off each other, but apart from the amazing sex, we enjoyed each other's company and really got to know each other better. I found myself thinking about him every time he was at work and I wasn't, and it was getting more and more difficult to convince myself that I didn't have strong feelings for him. I couldn't forget what he had told me about never wanting to get married and have kids, and even though those things seemed so far off in the future I knew deep inside that I was going to end up getting heartbroken. Against my better judgement, I figured that I could avoid the decision of breaking it off if we simply didn't talk about the future. The only problem was that I hadn't known in advance that I would get such strong feelings for him so quickly, and I don't think he had, either. 

Since I had been so busy working and spending time with Mike, I hadn't talked to Nicole except for the casual text message now and then letting her know I was doing fine. Knowing her as well as I did, I should have believed her when she had told me she would make an unannounced visit if I didn't arrange for her to meet my new boyfriend. After all, it wasn't the first time she did something others might call a little drastic. When one of my colleagues found one afternoon and told me someone was there to see me, I remembered our conversation and understood who it was immediately. 

"Hey babe," Nicole said with her I-told-you-so look on her face. "Wow, you look hot in those scrubs!" 

I looked around, slightly uncomfortable with her directness, and dragged her into an empty room. 

"I'm so sorry I haven't called you," I apologized. "I've meant to, really, I've just been so overwhelmed with work and everything..." 

"And your new boyfriend," she added with a wink, unable to resist the urge to make me feel a little guilty. "But that's fine, I'm not upset. I just figured you end in about twenty minutes and I wanted to invite you out for a drink so we can catch up." 

"Sounds great," I said, realizing I had to make her a priority. 

"Oh, and I also wanted to meet your boyfriend. Maybe he can join us?" 

I hesitated. "I don't know, Nikki. I don't know if it's such a good idea." 

"Why not?" she questioned. "You've spent all your free time with him since the day you met. Why can't you introduce him to your best friend?" 

"I can't talk about it right now," I explained. "My shift ends soon and I still have some things to do. Let's go out for a drink just the two of us and we'll talk, okay?" 

"Just tell me now," she demanded. "It'll take you... what, a minute or two?" 

I took a deep breath, trying to think of what to say. 

"It's not that I don't want to tell you," I began, but I was interrupted by a knock on the door. 

"Rose, what are you doing in here?" Mike asked, surprised. "I've been looking for you everywhere." 

"I'll be there in a minute," I snapped, wishing he would just leave the room. 

"I'm sorry," he said, walking over to me and Nicole. "I'm Dr. Miller. And you are...?" 

Nicole beamed with joy as she realized who she was talking to. 

"Hi," she said and batted her eyelashes, seeming way more flirtatious than she had probably planned. "I'm Rose's friend, Nicole." 

"Oh," Mike smiled, slightly taken aback. "It's nice to meet you, Nicole." 

Since he didn't seem in any hurry to leave, Nicole turned to me, creative as always. "Anyway, Rose, thanks for your help. I really wouldn't have bothered you at work if it hadn't been an emergency." 

"Sure," I played along. "Don't worry about it." 

Rose looked from me to Mike and then back at me. "Why don't you guys come with me for a drink when you get off?" she suggested. 

Mike looked a bit puzzled, then looked at me, smiling. "I'm going to assume you've told her?" 

"I told her," I sighed, trying to give Nicole an evil glare but I couldn't stay mad at her. "Starting to regret it now, though." 

"A drink would be nice," Mike said. "I can leave a bit earlier so you don't have to wait for me." 

Nicole smiled knowing her plan had succeeded. 

"Awesome," she said. "I'll wait for you outside." 

She gave me a quick peck on the cheek and headed for the door. 

"What did she need help with?" Mike asked innocently as he walked me back to the nursing office. 

I don't know if I was too tried to make something up or if I just didn't want to lie to him, but in any case, I decided to be honest. 

"Nothing," I said. "It was an excuse." 

"I know," he admitted. "I've known better liars than her. What was the real reason?" 

"She knew you'd be here," I told him. "She has been wanting to meet you." 

"And you didn't want her to?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"It's not like that," I said, choosing my words carefully so as not to hurt him. "I love Nicole with all my heart but she's very upfront and overprotective of me and she loves meddling in my life. I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled out a notepad with pre-written questions and started interrogating you like an FBI agent." 

"You think I couldn't handle that?" Mike asked with a look that told me he was definitely up for the challenge. 

"I'm saying I'm not sure I could handle it," I corrected him. 

We stopped right outside the nursing office and I was relieved to see it wasn't empty because that meant we would have to cut our conversation short. 

"I don't know why you're so nervous," Mike said. "She is your best friend. Of course I want to get to know her." 

Hearing that made me happy, of course, because it showed me that he cared about me and that he wasn't just in it for the sex. He wanted to be a part of my life, which was exactly what I had hoped for when I told him not to give up on us, and now I found myself trying to keep him out of it instead. 

"I don't know either," I lied. "It doesn't matter, I'll be fine. I can leave in five minutes so meet me outside in ten, okay?" 

"All right, babe," Mike said and smacked my ass. 




A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 05



I shook my head and tried to give him a disagreeing look but I couldn't hide the smile on my lips. 

"You just want to get caught, don't you?" 

"That's the thrill, baby," he said with a chuckle. "See you in ten." 

I got dressed before Mike so Nicole and I sat down outside of the hospital to catch up and enjoy the sun while we waited for him. Talking to my best friend made me realize how much I had missed her during the past weeks. I had been so busy focusing on my life but she had been through a lot at work that she needed to talk about, not to mention some douchebag nurse from the orthopedic surgery department had wooed her, slept with her and not returned her phone calls. Right when I was trying to convince her that she deserved better, Mike interrupted us. 

"Good afternoon, ladies," he said in his most charming voice, making Nicole smile. "So, where are we going? Should I go get my car?" 

"We won't need it," Nicole said. "I know this perfect little coffee house not too far away. Let's walk!" 

Mike took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers, and we started walking. 

"Rose has told me a lot about you," Mike said to Nicole, trying to make conversation. 

"That's funny," she answered. "She's told me a lot about you too." 

"Is that true?" Mike asked, giving me a surprised look. "What have you told her?" 

Before I had time to think of an answer, Nicole chipped in. "She can't tell you that," she said with a sly smile. "It's between me and her." 

"That's fair, I guess," Mike admitted after some consideration. "Besides, I bet I can lure it out of her later." 

He winked at me, making me blush as my mind wandered and I thought of several different things he could do to convince me to tell him. 

"Rose told me you've been friends for a long time," Mike said, changing the subject. 

"Almost 20 years no, I think," Nicole answered, and I nodded. 

"We lived on the same street," I added. "Then we started school together and became inseparable." 

"So, basically, this is going to be worse than meeting your parents," Mike chuckled and squeezed my hand. 

Nicole laughed. "Way worse," she exaggerated, obviously enjoying the conversation. "After having met me, Rose's parents and brothers will seem like a piece of cake. Of course, Mr. Hayden is a retired general officer and Rose's brothers have managed to scare away every single one of the guys she's ever brought home." 

Mike looked at me as if he needed reassurance that she was telling the truth, but I had never been able to keep a good poker face. 

"He's not a retired general officer," I said, amused at her attempt to freak out my boyfriend. "The part about my brothers is true, though. I ended up having to sneak around with my dates if I wanted to see them more than once." 

"Yeah, she was a real slut back then," Nicole added in a loving voice and pretended to get upset when I playfully hit her arm. 

"Well, I don't like sneaking around," Mike said. "I'd love to meet your family sometime, Rose." 

Nicole opened her eyes wide, not quite sure if she had heard him correctly. 

"He's a keeper," she whispered as she leaned her head closer to mine. 

I tried to fake a smile as I was pretty sure Mike had heard her comment, but the thought of introducing him to my family actually made me nervous and I was hoping he wouldn't bring it up again until I had figured out what our relationship was really about. Just as Nicole had said, I hadn't brought anyone home in ages and I didn't want to do it unless I knew it was serious. 

We arrived at the coffee shop a few minutes later, and while Nicole was busy telling Mike everything about her new job while they ordered something to drink, I found a small table not too far away from the others, just in case Nicole had planned to bring up anything embarrassing. She seemed to have fallen for his charm, though, which was pretty unusual even for her, but at least I thought it might make the rest of our conversation go a little smoother. 

Mike came back, handed me a large cup of tea and sat down next to me. Nicole took a seat on the other side of the table and looked at the two of us, smiling. We sat there, not saying anything, until she took us by surprise and broke the silence. 

"So you really did it in the locker room the day you met?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. 

"Nicole!" I exclaimed, shocked and embarrassed at the same time. "What the hell?!" 

"Please forgive me," she whispered, and I knew she wasn't the least sorry, she was just trying to make me less angry at her. "I just had to ask..." 

"You told her?" Mike asked, raising his eyebrows but not quite able to hide his amusement. 

"I'm so sorry," I supplicated, then turned to Nicole who seemed way too proud of herself. "You are so screwed right now." 

She laughed and stuck her tongue out at me, then looked at Mike. "Well, did you? I'm dying over here!" 

I blushed and looked down at the table, thinking about how surreal it was that she had blurted out a question that private in a coffee shop that was at most ten minutes away from the hospital where we worked. I was even too afraid to look around to see if anyone had heard her. 

"It's absolutely, definitely true," Mike said with a charming grin. "But that's all you'll hear about it from me. If you want the details you'll have to ask Rose." 

"I'm not telling you anything anymore," I muttered, still wanting to sink through the floor. "You obviously can't be trusted with private information." 

"That's why you love me," Nicole said confidently. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Mike already knows the details, so no harm done." 

Mike laughed and I shook my head in disbelief, well aware that she was already forgiven. I could never stay mad at Nicole. She was very straightforward and sometimes it felt like she didn't have any boundaries, but she always meant well and she had looked after me for as long as I had known her. I knew I hadn't been a particularly good friend since I'd met Mike and I would have to make it up to her, but at least she already seemed happy being part of my life, just like she used to. 

"I'm not going to embarrass you anymore," Nicole said with an awkward smile. "You've just seemed so happy these past weeks and I guess I felt a bit left out. I just wanted to meet the man who has made such an impact on you." 

I smiled and Mike leaned toward me and kissed me on my temple. 

"Sorry you had to surprise me at work," I answered. "You shouldn't have had to do that. I should have called you." 

"One of my closest friends is actually coming over to my place for dinner next week," Mike said. "I was going to ask you if you wanted to join us, Rose, but maybe you could both come?" 

I opened my mouth to protest but Nicole interrupted. 

"Is he hot?" she asked with a mischievous smile, making Mike laugh. 

"I'm not even going to answer that," he said. "You'll have to see for yourself." 

"I'm in," she asserted. "What day is it?" 

"Wednesday," Mike said. "Are you free that night?" 

"Absolutely," she said. "I get off at four." 

"I don't remember how I work next week," I pitched in. "I'll have to check if I can make it." 

"Oh, that's all right, honey," Mike said and smiled. "I already checked, you end at four, too. I told Kevin to be at my place around seven so that gives us plenty of time." 

"Great," I said through gritted teeth, trying my best to look happy even though I didn't understand why he would want to introduce me to his friends if he didn't want a long-term relationship. 

Nicole clasped her hands together in admiration. "He thinks of everything!" she exclaimed, and I fought the urge to let her know what a control freak he actually was. "You really found the perfect boyfriend." 

Trying desperately to change the subject once again, I started asking Nicole about her new job and the two of them soon began a lively discussion about oncology which I had no idea Mike was so interested in. I hardly said anything, instead I admired my boyfriend, impressed by his broad knowledge and genuine interest in the medical profession. Nicole seemed equally blown away, not to mention thrilled that she had found someone who shared her enthusiasm. 

After a long and engaging conversation, Nicole looked at the clock and realized it was getting late. 

"I have to get going," she said. "I promised my sister I would babysit her kids while she and her husband go on a date. It's their anniversary or something, I can't keep track. Your love life is a lot more interesting than theirs." 

She hugged Michael and gave me a kiss on the cheek. 

"Call me, okay?" 

"I will," I promised. "Love you." 

"Love you too, toots. It was great to finally see your boyfriend." She lowered her voice. "I approve, by the way. So jealous!" 

Mike, who had heard everything, smiled proudly as he opened the door for her. She took off, and Mike and I headed off in the opposite direction, back to the hospital where his car was parked. 

"I think that went pretty well," he reckoned. "And I'm happy I got to meet your best friend." 

"I'm happy you met her, too," I said, putting my arm around his waist. 

We walked in silence for a while, enjoying the beautiful sunset and the sound of children playing in the park. Suddenly my phone started vibrating in the pocket of my jeans. I picked it up and found a text message from Nicole. 

Really enjoyed this afternoon. He seems amazing. Why were you acting weird around him? Be careful. If I noticed, he will, too. Don't mess this up. 

"Anything important?" Mike asked. 

"No," I mumbled while deleting the message. "Just my mom. I'll give her a call later." 

Mike stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, look deep into my eyes and ran his fingers through my long hair. He looked so beautiful that I wanted to throw my arms around his neck and give him the most passionate kiss in the world, but his gaze mesmerized me so I just stood there, his soft touch leaving a trail of goosebumps on my neck and down my arms. 

"I like you so much," he whispered. 

I slowly leaned forward to kiss him but stopped right before our lips touched. He moaned and closed his eyes, and I felt the warmth of his breath on my face. 

"I know I'm not the perfect boyfriend," he continued, "but I really want this to work out. You make me feel like a different person and I don't remember the last time I was this happy." 

The softness of his lips on mine was all it took for me to forget about everything and throw myself into his embrace. He hugged me tight and I wished he would never let me go. 

"Please have patience with me," he pleaded. "I need you." 

"I won't leave you," I promised. "No matter what."



A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 06



I had originally planned to write at least one sex scene per chapter, but I had to work on the plot so that changed... I hope you all enjoy it anyway! Please comment, I love hearing what you all think! 

*** 

The following day, Nicole called me at work to say that she was going out with some of our old classmates from college that night, and she would love it if Mike and I joined them. Since Mike said he wouldn't get off work until late, I decided I would tag along on my own. I was looking forward to seeing my old friends and I hadn't been out clubbing in a long time, so I was very excited by the time I got home from work to start getting ready. After a quick shower I slipped into a beige sleeveless top, a tight black skirt that ended a few inches above my knees and a pair of black leather boots. I let my hair down and ruffled it a little, giving it a wild and messy feel, then I searched through my bathroom drawers for the bright red lipstick I knew I owned but hadn't used in a very long time. 

Nicole came by my apartment a few hours before we were supposed to meet the rest of the gang so that we could have dinner together, just the two of us. Before we left, she ran her fingers through my hair and applied some extra blush on my cheeks.  

"There," she said, turning me around so that I could admire myself in the bathroom mirror. "Now you look absolutely perfect. Sorry Michael had to work tonight. The guys are going to be so upset when they find out you're already taken!" 

I laughed as I put my jacket on and closed the door. 

"You're going to have to flirt with them for me," I joked. 

"You don't need to tell me twice," she said and gave me a wink. 

She hooked her arm in mine and we started walking. 

"So what was that all about yesterday?" she asked. "You have found the perfect boyfriend. He is a doctor, he is smart, funny, not to mention hot... What's wrong?" 

I hesitated for a few seconds but decided to tell her everything. After all, I really needed to talk to someone, and no one was a better listener than Nicole. 

"He is amazing," I agreed. "He swept me off my feet with his good looks and his charm. And the sex, by the way, which is better than anything I've ever experienced in my entire life." 

Nicole rolled her eyes, but I ignored her and continued. "I just never thought I'd get these feelings for him, and the problem is that he never wants to get married or have kids. He told me once that I should be with someone else, someone who wants what I do, but I just couldn't stand the thought of not being with him anymore." 

"So you told him you don't want that either," Nicole guessed. "And now you regret it." 

"Something like that," I sighed. "I do want that. I've always wanted to get married to the man of my dreams and have a big family, but now it feels like I can't have both." 

"Maybe he'll change his mind?" Nicole said in an attempt to comfort me. "Maybe he's just waiting for the right person?" 

"Something happened when he was young," I explained. "He won't tell me what. All I know is that he was in a serious relationship and when they broke up he decided he would never date anyone ever again." 

"Well, in that case he has already changed his mind," Nicole pointed out, "since he's dating you." 

"There is a huge difference between dating and getting married." 

"I know that," she said. "But if he changed his mind once, he might do it again. Maybe he got his heart broken. She must have hurt him somehow, maybe she cheated on him. We all say things we regret when we're miserable, that doesn't mean we can't change our minds later." 

I wanted to believe her but somehow I just couldn't. As I thought about the fact that I might have to break things off with him, tears started rolling down my cheek. Nicole stopped walking, wiped them off with her thumb and gave me a long hug. 

"He would be a fool if he didn't want to marry you," she consoled me. "You are the most amazing person I've ever met. You know that, right?" 

I nodded. 

"I promise you that he really likes you," she continued. "I saw it yesterday. The way he looked at you, the way he held your hand... You have to believe me. I'm sure he will change his mind about getting married and having kids when he realizes how much he loves you." 

"You are so sweet," I sobbed, trying to dry my tears. 

"I'm just telling the truth," she said and smiled. "But right now, you're going to have to stop crying because you have mascara running down your cheeks and I want you looking your best tonight." 

I laughed, grateful that I had such a great friend. 

"I made you laugh," she said, proud of herself. "Now that you're feeling a tiny bit better, I need to ask you something I've been dying to know. What was the sex like?" 

"Come on, Nikki," I teased. "Let's keep some things private." 

"Privacy is overrated," she said. "I want details." 

"All right," I succumbed. "I'll tell you. The sex has been very..." I was trying to find an appropriate word that would describe it. "It's intense. Very intense." 

"Intense as in he likes it rough?" she asked curiously. 

"You have no idea," I chuckled, making Nicole even more inquisitive. 

"I said I wanted details," she reminded me with a strict look on her face. 

"He is very dominating," I explained. "Sex with him involves spanking, bondage, blindfolds, butt plugs and nipple clamps, among other things. He even made me take my panties off in a restaurant and go completely naked underneath my dress for the rest of the evening." 

Nicole looked at me with her eyes wide open. 

"Are you for real?" she asked, obviously a bit shocked. I smiled and nodded. "What's it like? Do you like it?" 

"Honestly, if you had asked me a month ago I would have told you there was no way I would ever do something like that. But now... It's the best sex I've ever had. He gives me orgasms that are more intense than I even thought was possible. They make my entire body quiver." 

"I would never have guessed that in a million years," Nicole said. "I mean, he's a pediatrician..." 

"Hey, pediatricians love kinky sex, too," I chuckled. 

"What is the spanking all about?" she asked. "Doesn't it hurt?" 

"It does hurt a little," I admitted. "But it's a good kind of pain. It turns me on, sort of like the pain and the pleasure go hand in hand." 

"Well, I'm shocked," she said. "I don't know whether it sounds sexy or messed up. He hasn't hurt you or anything, right? Do I need to be worried?" 

"Definitely not," I assured her. "He hasn't done anything without my permission and the truth is I love it all, the pain, the submissiveness, the vulnerability... They all build up and make the orgasms so much better." 

"It sounds pretty nice," Nicole admitted. "Most guys I've been with have sucked at giving orgasms. You're a lucky girl." 

I smiled, trying not to think about what we had discussed earlier. Nicole was right - Michel was an amazing boyfriend. I just hoped our relationship would last. 

After a wonderful dinner, Nicole and I jumped into a cab that took us to the nightclub where we were supposed to meet our old classmates. We were a little early so we sat outside, talking about everything and nothing and looking at everyone who was walking by. Right in the middle of a conversation about one of Nicole's ex-boyfriends, she grabbed my arm. 

"Didn't Michael say he was going to work tonight?" she asked, concern in her voice. 

"Yes, he did," I said. "Why? What's wrong?" 

She pointed discreetly to a man sitting on a bench with a flower bouquet in his hand, and it didn't take me long to realize that it was Mike. I immediately got a lump in my throat, confused as to why he would lie to me. 

"It may not be what it looks like," Nicole said, even though she didn't sound convinced. "Do you want to go and talk to him?" 

I hesitated. 

"No," I decided. "Let's see what happens." 

We waited for a few minutes, hoping we would find an explanation, but when a blonde woman approached him and he gave her a hug, I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. 

"That son of a bitch!" Nicole scolded. "What does he think he is doing?" 

The woman sat down next to Mike. He put his arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. 

"I'm going to kill him," Nicole raged through gritted teeth. 

She got up from her seat but I grabbed hold of her jacket and pulled her down again. 

"Don't," I said. "We came here to have fun, so that's what I'm going to do. I'll talk to him tomorrow." 

"You should kick his ass tomorrow," she corrected me. "That fucking piece of shit." 

"I'm going to demand an explanation," I said. "If it's not good enough, I'll kick his ass, trust me." 

"Are you sure you don't want me to go over there?" she asked. 

"I'm sure," I said. "Let's just have some fun tonight." 

I watched Mike and the woman until they left, the bouquet of flowers still in his hand. I kept hearing his voice inside my head telling me that he was going to work late, telling me that he really liked me and that he needed me. In hindsight, all of it seemed like a single big lie. I felt so betrayed and humiliated, and even though I hoped there was a perfectly good explanation, it didn't seem very likely. 

My thoughts were interrupted by our old classmates Sarah, Luke and David who ran up to hug us, excited to see us again after graduation. 

"Beautiful as always, Rose," David said and kissed me on the cheek. 

"Flirty as always," I teased, making David smile. 

"Well, a man can always hope," he said. "You might say yes someday." 

David had had a crush on me in college and had gathered the courage to ask me out, but I had said no because I had a hard time seeing him as anything else than a really good friend. I assumed his feelings had changed since then but we still joked about it from time to time. 

"We really have some catching up to do," Sarah said as we went inside. "I can't believe we're all registered nurses now!" 

"First things first," Luke said and winked at Sarah. "Who wants a beer? First round is on me." 

We sat down at the bar and ordered five beers. Luke had just started his new job a few days ago since he had spent two weeks in Hawaii with his girlfriend, so he told us all about how amazing the trip was and how much fun they had had. The whole thing with Mike was gnawing at me so I found it difficult to concentrate. I couldn't stop wondering if there might be a logical explanation even though all the signs pointed to the fact that he was cheating on me. Not only had he lied about working late, but he had straight out told me that he wasn't boyfriend material and that I should find someone else if I wanted to get married. How could I not have seen this coming? 

I ordered another beer, two margaritas and a few shots in an attempt to forget about Mike, but it didn't work as I had planned. I was getting lightheaded and while Nicole, Sarah and Luke were deep in conversation, David turned to me and put his hand on my thigh. 

"Are you okay?" he asked, leaning closer so as to make himself heard above the loud music. 

"I'm fine," I lied. "What about you?" 

David ignored my question. 

"You don't look fine," he said. "You're usually the most talkative person I know and you've hardly said a word since we got here." 

"It's just some boy troubles," I said and drank my fourth shot. "Nothing interesting." 

"I'm interested, Rose," he said amicably. "Come on. Talking to someone is better than trying to drown your sorrows." 

"All right," I gave in. "I met this guy and I think he's cheating on me." 

"Why would you think that?" 

"Because he lied about being at work tonight and I just saw him with a bouquet of flowers and another woman," I told him, rolling my eyes. 

David put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. 

"I'm sorry, honey," he said. "I can't believe how a guy could ever cheat on you. If you were mine, I'd be the luckiest guy in the entire world. I'd make you feel like a queen every single day." 

"You're so sweet," I said and leaned my head against his chest. "Maybe I shouldn't have said no when you asked me out before." 

"Maybe you shouldn't have," he repeated, carefully stroking my hair. 

"Why are men such assholes?" I asked. "Why can't I be into girls instead?" 

"Now, that would have been interesting," David teased. "I would pay a lot to see you make out with another girl." 

As usual, David knew what to say to make me laugh and I realized I was starting to feel a little better after all. I called for the bartender and ordered another margarita. David softly put my hand on his. 

"Maybe that should be your last one," he cautioned. 

"Since when do you tell me what to do?" I blurted out. "I'm going to drink until I forget Michael's name, and apparently, I haven't yet." 

The bartender came back with my margarita which I started gulping down immediately. David asked for a glass of water, then turned to me, grabbed my margarita and put it down on the bar. 

"You like him that much?" he asked. 

I nodded and leaned closer to him. 

"He's the best sex I've ever had," I whispered in his arm. 

"Here, drink this," he instructed and handed me the glass of water that the bartender had brought. 

I stuck my tongue out at him defiantly but did as I was told. 

"I want to dance," I said, taking his hand in mine. "Come on!" 

He tried to protest but I led him to the dancefloor. It only took a few seconds before I got dizzy and grabbed David's arm so that I wouldn't fall. 

"Rose, are you okay?" he asked in a concerned tone. 

"I'm great!" I exclaimed, still holding onto him. 

"Follow me," he said and led me away from the crowded dancefloor to a bar table by the wall. "Maybe I should take you home." 

"Home?" I snorted. "No way! I'm having fun!" 

David looked worried. "Let's just stay here for a while, then," he said. 

"I'm going to go get my margarita," I told him. 

"I'm sorry that guy is such a jerk," David said, grabbing my arms so that I couldn't go back to the bar. "I know you think you'll feel better if you get drunk but trust me, you've had enough." 

He held me close to him and his firm hands on my arms reminded me of Mike. I looked into his eyes and slowly leaned forward to kiss him. 

"Don't, Rose," he said and moved his head away. "I really like you, but I don't want you this way." 

"I'm fine," I said, trying to convince him. "Let's go back to my place." 

"I can't," he whispered, his hands still on my arms. "I'm sorry." 

Suddenly I heard a familiar voice. 

"Get your hands off my girlfriend!" 

David backed away and I had to hold onto the bar table to keep myself from falling. All eyes were on Mike as he seized my wrist. 

"Are you drunk?" he asked angrily. 

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" I snapped and pulled my arm out of his grip. 

"I got off earlier than I thought," he hissed. "And I thought I'd find you here so I could join for a little while. But apparently you were busy flirting with someone else!" 

"So what if I was?" I countered. "You lied to me! You weren't working! Why do you care if I was flirting with someone else when you were cheating on me with that blonde bitch?" 

Mike was immediately taken aback. 

"I'm sorry I lied," he said in a low voice, looking me straight in the eyes. "But I didn't cheat on you." 

"So what were you doing?" I demanded. 

Mike looked around and realized that everyone was watching us. I was feeling dizzier and dizzier and leaned against the table for support. 

"You need to get home," he scolded. "Where is Nicole?" 

I pointed at the bar. Mike's grip tightened on my arm as he dragged me along with him. He let her know that we were leaving, and she was so surprised and confused to see him there that all she could do was nod. Mike led me out to his car, helped me get into the passenger seat and buckled my seatbelt. 

"Who is she?" I asked as he started driving. 

He was quiet for a while as if he was thinking about whether or not to tell me the truth. 

"You already lied to me once today," I said coldly. "Don't do it again." 

He took a deep breath. 

"She is my ex-girlfriend," he said matter-of-factly, his eyes on the road. 

"Why the hell did you lie to me about meeting your ex-girlfriend?" I cried out. 

"I can't tell you," he whispered. "I'm sorry, I just can't." 

I crossed my arms tightly across my chest and looked out the window. 

"Do you believe me when I say I'm not cheating on you?" he asked. 

I didn't want to look him in the eyes. I felt hurt and betrayed and didn't want to give him that satisfaction. 

"I don't know," I said. "Why can't you just tell me what you were doing?" 

"Because it hurts too much," he confessed. "I haven't told anyone before." 

I didn't know what to say, so I stayed quiet. 

"I want to tell you," he said. "I really do. Please, trust me. I'm just not ready yet." 

Once again, I was silent. 

"Is that why you got drunk and flirted with that guy?" he asked. 

I nodded. This time it was Mike's turn to be quiet. 

"I have a headache," I said. 

"I'll take care of you." 

Mike parked the car and led me up to my apartment. He carried me to my bed, undressed me and tucked me in under the blanket. 

"Do you want me to sleep on the couch?" he asked, embarrassed. 

"No, you idiot," I said. "I want you next to me." 

A hint of a smile appeared on his face as he took his clothes off and joined me in bed. I curled up next to him and rested my head on his chest and he started stroking my hair. I lay in that position listening to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat until I fell asleep.



A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 07



We didn't talk about any of the things that happened that night during the days that followed. Mike was apparently not ready to tell me what he had done with his ex-girlfriend and I told myself I didn't want to pressure him, but the truth was that a part of me was really afraid that he was cheating on me, and avoiding the topic meant I could try to pretend like everything was okay. Both David and Nicole had tried to call me several times but I had ignored them, embarrassed about the whole situation. I desperately tried to forget about everything, but it wasn't as easy as I had hoped. 

After our shifts had ended on Wednesday, Mike and I went back to his apartment together to get ready for dinner with Kevin and Nicole. Mike started cooking while I took a long, hot shower and changed into some clean clothes that I had left at his place the night before. By the time I got out of the bathroom, a delicious scent of grilled chicken had started filling the kitchen. 

"What are you making?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist as he poured us two glasses of red wine. 

"My signature dish," he said. "Chicken fajitas. It's pretty much the only thing I can do that I know always turns out fine." 

"Sounds great," I said and kissed him. "You might want to turn down the heat unless you want to burn the chicken, though." 

"Shit!" he exclaimed and hurried to the stove to take the frying pan off of the heat. "Thank you! I have way too much on my mind right now." 

"Are you nervous?" I asked, running my hand through his hair. "I thought you guys were really close?" 

"We are," he affirmed. "That's why I want everything to be perfect when he meets my girlfriend for the first time." 

"You don't have to worry," I said. "If you're such good friends, I'm sure I'll love him. Now, go get dressed while I set the table." 

He placed a short but passionate kiss on my lips before he went to the bedroom. I had just opened the cupboard to get some plates when the doorbell rang and Nicole walked in. 

"Hey honey," she said and gave me a hug. "Are you okay? Where's Michael?" "He's getting dressed," I said, pointing to the bedroom. "We're fine, by the way, don't worry about it." 

"Pretty hard not to worry," she whispered so that he wouldn't hear her. "That was quite a show the other night. Have you guys talked about it?" 

"Sort of," I said and started setting the table. "He said he wasn't cheating on me and I believe him." 

"Really?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together..." 

"I know what we saw," I snapped. "But if he says he didn't cheat on me, I believe him." 

"All right, all right," Nicole said, throwing her hands up in surrender. "You know him better than I do. I just don't want you to get hurt." 

Truth be told, I wasn't as confident as I tried to appear. I wanted to believe him but even if he was telling me the truth, it hurt that he didn't feel like he could tell me what was really going on. All I knew for sure was that, if I wanted to see where this relationship might lead, I had to take a leap of faith and trust him. 

"I have to believe him, Nikki," I said, almost inaudibly. "If he did cheat on me I would have to break things up, and I don't think I could handle that. I like him way too much." 

"I know," she comforted me while stroking my hair. "I know. Just do me a favor and let me know if you ever need me to kick his ass for you." 

I was going to tell her I appreciated the offer when Mike came out of the bedroom wearing a pair of stonewashed jeans and a light blue shirt, casually unbuttoned at the top. His hair was unruly and the scent of his cologne filled the room and sparked memories of kinky sex, dinners without underwear and long nights spent in his arms. I tried to think of something else while he greeted Nicole but when he turned around and winked at me I felt defenseless and possessed by his charm. He had me under his spell, there was no denying it. I knew I would be completely heartbroken if it turned out that he had been lying to me and that this relationship had never meant as much to him as he was making me believe. 

Overwhelmed by all my contradicting emotions, I tried to keep busy by folding napkins and making sure the chicken wouldn't get cold. When the doorbell rang once again, Mike grabbed my hand and brought me with him to open the door. 

"Wait a second," Kevin said, looking at me and Nicole, and then back at Mike. "You told me you were in a relationship but I guess I must have been a little naïve thinking you only had one girlfriend." 

Mike burst out laughing and embraced his friend while Nicole looked at me, rolling her eyes. 

"Man, I've missed you," Mike said before turning around and introducing me. "This is my girlfriend, Rose." 

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Kevin said. "I can't believe he finally found a girlfriend who puts up with all his crap. I was beginning to think you weren't even real!" 

"You could at least wait until after dinner before you start trying to break us up," Mike teased and put his arm around my waist. "Anyway, this is Rose's friend, Nicole." 

"Enchanté," Kevin said in a deep voice, kissing Nicole's outstretched hand, making her giggle. 

"All right, enough with the flirting," Mike cautioned with a hint of a smile on his lips. "Dinner's getting cold." 

"Let me guess," Kevin said, slipping off his jacket. "Fajitas?" 

Mike pretended to be hurt and slapped him playfully on his arm. "Really, dude?" 

"I'm kidding, Mike," Kevin grinned. "Your fajitas are the best! They make me feel like home every time. The Mexicans have a lot to learn from you." 

Kevin, Nicole and I sat down at the dinner table and started helping ourselves to the food while Mike grabbed some cold beers from the fridge. 

"So, Mike told me you just graduated," Kevin said. 

"Yeah, we both did," I told him. "Are you a doctor, too?" 

"Me?" Kevin laughed. "No way, I'm not as smart as Mr. Brainiac over there. He got straight A's in high school while I spent most of my nights partying and most of my days hungover." 

"Not much has changed..." Mike sneered. 

"Well, I still don't know the names of all the bones in the body," Kevin admitted. "But I do make some pretty cool furniture. When I'm not partying or asking Mike for advice on how to cure hangovers, that is." 

"You're a carpenter?" Nicole asked. "That is... totally different!" 

Kevin laughed. "You guys save lives, I build things for people to sit on... Almost the same, right?" 

"He did build me the most awesome loft bed when I was in med school," Mike acknowledged. "Oh, and the cupboard in my bedroom, too." 

"You built that?" I asked, surprised. 

"Yeah, you know the cupboard with all the drawers," Mike said with a mischievous smile, very aware of the fact that he had reminded me of all the kinky things he kept in there. I blushed and glared at him, which only made him smile even more. 

"It was a housewarming gift," Kevin explained. "I built it a few years ago." 

"That's really impressive," Nicole said, batting her eyelashes at him. "You're going to have to show it to me later." 

Right as Mike opened his mouth to say something, I attempted to kick his leg under the table to shut him up. 

"Ouch!" Nicole cried out and reached down to rub her ankle. "What the hell, Rose?" 

Mike burst into laughter. Nicole looked at the two of us, shaking her head. 

"You guys are like two twelve-year-olds crushing on each other," Kevin chuckled. "I haven't seen you like this in a really long time, Mike." 

"I haven't felt like this in a really long time," Mike added. "And it's all thanks to Rose." 

He reached across the table and kissed me. 

"Aww," Nicole said. "So cute I almost want to throw up a little. I'm going to need another beer soon if you're going to keep reminding me of the fact that I'm still single." 

"We'll try to dial it down," I said, winking at her before changing the subject entirely. 

After a wonderful dinner with interesting conversation, Mike and Nicole sat down in the living room and started discussing their experience working with cancer patients while Kevin and I stayed in the kitchen making small talk. I asked him what Mike was like in high school and he ended up telling me countless stories about their teenage years; everything from parties gone wild and embarrassing drunken moments to Mike's first crush and the first time he got his heart broken. I loved hearing all of it, both the good and the bad, because it somehow made me feel like I got to know my mysterious boyfriend just a little bit better. 

"I'm so happy to have met you," Kevin said and put his hand on my shoulder. "He hasn't allowed himself to get feelings for anyone in so long, I thought he never would. I've been worried about him ever since Autumn so you can't imagine how relieved I am to see him this happy." 

"Who is Autumn?" I asked, confused. "His ex-girlfriend?" 

Kevin's eyes popped open in surprise as he realized he had just made a huge mistake. 

"Oh my God, Rose!" he exclaimed. "He hasn't told you?" 

"Hasn't told me what?" I asked, my chest tightening as I understood that Kevin knew whatever it was that Mike didn't want to tell me. 

Kevin still looked just as surprised that I didn't know what he was talking about. 

"Shit," he muttered, glancing over his shoulder to see if Mike had heard us, but he seemed to be busy talking to Nicole. "Rose, I'm sorry, after all the wonderful things he has told me about you I just assumed that you knew about Autumn." 

"Who the hell is Autumn?" I urged. 

Kevin opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. 

"I know something happened," I said in a low voice. "He told me a while ago but he won't tell me what it is." 

"It has to come from him," he said. "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have said anything." 

"I saw him with his ex-girlfriend the other day," I told him. "He told me he was at work but I saw the two of them together. He brought flowers and had his arm around her. Why did he lie to me?" 

"It's not what you think," he said, trying to comfort me without saying too much. "He wasn't cheating on you, I promise." 

"That's what he told me, too, and I want to believe him, but it's not easy when he won't let me in." 

"I understand how you feel," he acknowledged. "And I know it might not seem like it, but he has let you into his life a lot more than you think. Mike has never been with a girl more than one night since they broke up because he is so scared of falling in love again. I know what happened because I was part of his life back then, but he hasn't told anyone else. He shut himself off completely and pretended like it never happened so he has never been able to cope with it." 

"I just want to help him," I whispered, feeling more powerless than ever. 

"You are helping him," Kevin assured me. "I've never seen him this happy since that day. He might not be ready to tell you what happened yet, but you've made him hopeful. Last time we talked on the phone he said he thought you might be the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with." 

"Really?" I asked eagerly. 

"In those exact words," he said. "It might be hard for him to express it, but he is crazy about you. Please, don't give up on him, he really needs you. He will tell you what happened when he's ready, but until then, you have nothing to be worried about, I promise." 

"Okay," I sighed. "I trust you. I'll let it go until he's ready to bring it up again." 

"You're the best thing that could ever have happened to him," Kevin said. "Don't forget that." 

When both Kevin and Nicole had left, Mike wrapped his arms around the small of my back, pulled me into his embrace and gave me a long, sensual kiss. Somehow, it was different from all the other times he had kissed me. It wasn't as desperate and erotic as usual, the way he always kissed me when he was overpowered by lust and just couldn't get enough of me. Instead, it was a kiss filled with love and tenderness that made the world stop turning and the sun stop shining. I gasped for air when his lips left mine and cupped his face in my hands. 

"What was that for?" I asked, smiling. 

"That was for tonight," he said, gazing into my eyes. "I had the most amazing time and Kevin absolutely loved you." 

"I tend to have that effect on people," I teased, making him laugh. "Seriously though, I really liked him. I'm happy you invited me." 

"I was a little nervous," he admitted. "He means a lot to me and so do you. I wanted everything to be perfect and it was. You're amazing, you know that, right?" 

"You're even more amazing," I said, tenderly tracing the outline of his lips with my index finger. He softly kissed the fingertip before putting the entire finger in his mouth and started sucking on it with increasing intensity and a lustful look in his eyes. 

"I could do this somewhere else, you know," he hinted, and I felt a warm, tingling sensation spread throughout my entire body as his tongue started twirling around my finger again. 

Overwhelmed with desire, I grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head and arms. Mike quickly undid the buttons of my blouse, pushed it off my shoulders and let it drop to our feet. His eyes got darker as he unhooked my bra, placed both hands on my breasts and squeezed them hard enough for me to moan in excitement. Suddenly he grabbed both my wrists with his left hand and pushed me abruptly against the wall, pinning me down with his hips to keep me still. He gently kissed his way from my breasts to my neck and let his tongue meander over my collarbone before wrapping his right hand around my throat. 

"Do you know how much I've wanted to fuck you all night?" he asked in a low voice, tightening his grip. "If it hadn't been for Nicole I would have done it right then and there on the kitchen table with Kevin watching us." 

I swallowed, not knowing what to say or if he was even serious. 

"You don't believe me, do you?" he asked as if he had read my mind. "It wouldn't be the first time, you know." 

I looked at him, surprised, and he laughed. 

"I've been really careful not to introduce this too fast," he continued, "because the last thing I want is to scare you." 

"I'm not scared," I said, and he pressed his hand even harder against my throat. 

"Good," he said. "Because I won't hold back as much this time. I'm going to fuck you just like you deserve, just as I've wanted to do ever since I first saw you. Wait for me right here and don't move, okay?" 

He released my wrists and took his hand off my neck and I nodded. I stayed in the exact same place, waiting with anticipation as he walked to the bedroom and went through his drawers. The sound of rattling chains was enough to make me wet and fill my mind with vivid images of all the things he could do to drive me crazy with excitement. 

"I want you to wear this," he said when he came back and held up a black leather collar with decorative chains and a metal ring attached to it. It looked like some sort of exclusive dog collar more than anything and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. 

"Really?" I asked derogatively. 

Mike tried to pull off a serious look but I could see that he was a little amused. 

"This is where you say 'yes, sir' and put it on without asking any questions," he said with a slight smile. 

"I'm sorry," I said, blushing. "It's just..." 

"It's just what?" he questioned. 

I hesitated but he gave me a stern look. 

"Tell me," he said, trying not to sound too harsh. 

"It looks like a dog collar," I explained. "I just don't get it. I don't understand why you would want me to wear it." 

"I guess that's a fair question," he admitted. "I'm sorry. I'm used to being with women who have done this before so I've never really had to explain it to anyone. I want you to wear it because it turns me on. It shows that you're mine, and I like that." 

"I like that, too," I agreed. "I like it a lot." 

"Will you try it on?" he asked. 

I nodded so he placed the collar around my neck, tightened it and buckled it up. My body shivered as I felt his fingers against my skin and longed for more of his touch. 

"To be honest, this is kind of new to me, too," he said and placed a trail of wet kisses right below the collar, giving me goosebumps. "I've collared women before but that was to remind them that they were mine to do with as I pleased. Which, of course, applies to you too," he added, grabbing my hair and pulling it down hard. 

I closed my eyes as he nibbled and sucked on my earlobe, making me moan. 

"But it's different with you," he continued. "I don't just want you to be mine when we have sex. I want you to be mine all the time. I want all of you." 

That was all it took for me to change my opinion about the collar. 

"I'll never take it off," I blurted out, causing Mike to laugh. 

"You might want to take it off at work," he said and I knew he was smiling even though he still had a firm grip on my hair, making me look up at the ceiling. "I don't think it would go that well with your scrubs. I like the idea, though. I might have to find a more discrete one." 

He let go of my hair and covered my eyes with a black tie that he tied around my head. 

"Do you trust me?" he asked. 

"Yes," I said without even thinking about it. 

"Good." 

He led me a few steps away, raised my arms over my head and attached my wrists to two handcuffs that must have been hanging from the ceiling. Then he unbuttoned my pants and slid them down my legs together with my thong, leaving me naked, vulnerable and very excited. I felt something cold against my ankles as he placed the leather cuffs attached to the spreader bar around them and buckled them tightly. 

"Not that I think you'll want to close your legs," he whispered into my ear, "but it's a lot more fun this way because you'll be completely helpless and unable to resist what I've got planned." 

"Just take me," I moaned. "Please!" 

"Not yet," he said and let his fingers slide down my belly, around my waist and finally down to my inner thigh. He slowly moved his hand closer and closer to my pussy, wiping off the trails of juices that were running down my legs. 

I moaned, waiting for him to plunge his long, delicate fingers deep inside me but instead, he teased me by running them around the entrance of my pussy. His touch was driving me crazy with desire and when he began probing just inside my opening I couldn't take it anymore. Instinctually, I pressed my hips forward and cried out in pleasure as his fingers slid further inside of me, but he quickly withdrew them and I suddenly felt a sharp, stinging pain on my right ass cheek. 

"Is it really that fucking hard for you to stand still?" he asked harshly. When I didn't reply, he grabbed my hair and gave it a hard tug. "I asked you a question," he warned. 

I swallowed, surprised and turned on at the same time. 

"No, sir," I said. "I'm sorry." 

Another hard slap came down on my butt in the exact same spot as the first one, increasing the burning sensation. 

"I'll be right back," he said and left me alone for a few minutes, naked, blindfolded, tied up and insanely excited. I knew in that moment that he could have done anything he wanted with me. I was completely helpless and at his mercy and nothing turned me on more. 

I heard his footsteps as he came closer but couldn't tell where exactly he was standing. Suddenly I felt something cold on my neck. It was so cold that it almost hurt a little as he slowly slid it across my collarbone and down to my breasts, circling them teasingly. I gasped for air as he pressed the melting ice cube against my nipple and cold water started running down my chest and my belly, giving me goosebumps. He unexpectedly sank his teeth into the oversensitive skin of my nipple and I cried out, more in surprise than anything else. He continued licking and sucking on it while sliding the ice cube down my stomach and over my hips. I became more and more aroused the closer he got to my pussy and was finding it really hard to stand still. My clit was throbbing and aching to be touched but the thought of something that cold being pressed against it made me a little nervous. As Mike held the ice cube a few inches below my belly button and the cold water ran all the way down to my swollen clit, I unintentionally pushed my hips away from his hand. Mike responded by placing the ice cube right on my clit, making me moan loudly. He started moving it in small circles, then he plunged his fingers into my desperate pussy, thrusting them in and out rhythmically. 




A Rose By Any Another Name Ch. 07



"Would you like to come today?" Mike asked, clearly enjoying the power he had over me. 

"Yes," I moaned. "Please, I need to come." 

"Do you think you've deserved it?" he asked and I froze, not knowing what to say. 

"Yes, sir," I said in such a low voice that it almost came out as a whisper. 

"I'm not sure I agree with you," he said matter-of-factly and stopped touching me. "I know you're new at this but you should know by now that when I put you in a position, you stay in that position. Don't you think?" 

I swallowed. My heart was racing and my pussy was pulsating, begging for relief. I knew that Mike was aware of it and that he enjoyed putting me in this vulnerable and humiliating situation. He wanted me to beg him to let me come and, to my own surprise, it really turned me on. 

"Yes, sir," I said. "I know that." 

"I'm going to make you come anyway," he said. "It's not for your pleasure, though, I'm just doing it because you look so fucking hot when I make you come and I don't want to miss that." 

I couldn't see his facial expression because of the blindfold so I tried to hide my smile, just in case it wasn't meant to be funny. I knew he would do it for my pleasure, but I wasn't sure he was aware of that himself. 

"But you're not getting away with it," he said strictly. "Turn around." 

I did as I was told and immediately felt a familiar burning sensation as he smacked my ass hard with his bare hand. He grabbed the back of the collar and pulled me closer to him before the second blow, which hit even harder and in the exact same spot. 

"Can't hear you," he said, reminding me to count. "From the beginning." 

"One," I whispered as the next one landed on my butt. 

"Louder," he commanded and slapped me again. His hand landed a bit further up than before, near the small of my back. 

I counted as he spanked me harder and harder, taking short pauses between each blow to gently rub my ass which was already starting to feel sore. After the tenth strike he let go of my collar and violently thrust his fingers deep into my pussy, making me cry out in pleasure. 

"I bet I could make you come like this," he murmured and smacked me hard on the other butt cheek while ramming his fingers in and out of my vagina. 

I was so horny that I would have done almost anything for him to fuck me right then and there, but with the blindfold, the spreader bar and my hands tied up above my head, all I could do was to surrender to him. It was a feeling that was both frustrating and extremely arousing. Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore he opened up his pants, wrapped his arms around my chest and shoved his hard cock into me. 

"Oh, fuck," he groaned. "You're so wet." 

I moaned loudly as he repeatedly slammed his body against mine while trying to keep me still, which wasn't that easy. He gave up after a little while, unbuckled my wrists and carried me to the kitchen table. He put me down right in front of it and pressed my chest down against the hard wooden surface. 

"This is going to be so much better," he whispered as he tied my wrists to the table legs and pulled on the rope to make sure I couldn't move my arms. "Before we pick up where we left off, I have something you're going to like." 

He grabbed my ass tight and slowly but firmly slid a finger into my asshole, then he grabbed a butt plug and roughly pushed it in without any heads up, making me squeal. 

"I want both your holes filled at the same time," he whispered seductively into my ear, and I thought I would explode when I felt his erection against my thigh. I wanted him to fill me with his dick, to fuck me frantically, desperately, as if it were the only thing that mattered. I wanted him to take advantage of his body, to show him that it all belonged to him and that he could do whatever he wanted with it to satisfy his own selfish desire. 

Just as if he had read my mind, he rammed his cock all the way inside my hungry pussy, the butt plug enhancing the sensation and pleasure of being thoroughly fucked. He moved his hips rhythmically, reminding me of the spanking every time he pushed against my sore ass. 

"I love this color on your ass," he said between breaths. "I keep finding myself hoping that you're going to do something to deserve a spanking, just because I like it so damn much." 

He smacked my ass once again and I moaned, relishing the pain and the adrenaline rush that came with it. 

"I want you to come at the same time as me," Mike said and started stroking my clit with his fingers. "Are you ready to come?" 

"Yes," I moaned, feeling an orgasm build up inside me. 

"Don't come before I tell you to or I will spank you so hard you won't be able to sit down at work for an entire week," he warned, and I tried thinking of something else, anything else, to slow down the process. 

Mike continued fucking me faster and faster, harder and harder, his fingers rubbing my swollen clit that was so close to climax. 

"I can't," I cried out. "I'm going to come, I can't stop it!" 

"Fuck, Rose!" Mike shouted and grabbed my ass really hard with both hands. As I felt him shoot his load deep into me I gave in, screaming his name while I finally got the release I had so desperately been waiting for. Mike moaned as he slammed his cock in and out of my cunt as hard as he could, then he slowed down, pulled out and sat down next to me, breathing loudly. I could feel his cum oozing out of my swollen pussy and running down my leg. 

"You're so fucking amazing," he panted. "Have I ever told you that?" 

"You have," I said, laughing. "But I don't think I could ever hear it too many times." 

"Well, in that case, you're amazing," he repeated and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. 

"You are, too," I said after a little while. "I really like you. And the sex is off the charts, but you knew that already." 

Mike untied my wrists and ankles and rubbed them affectionately. 

"It's the best sex I've ever had," he admitted. 

"Of course you'll tell me that," I teased. 

"Hey," Mike said, grabbing my chin and looking me in the eyes. "I'm serious. I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone ever again, but I was wrong. I always thought sex was better when there were no feelings involved, but I was wrong about that, too. Now, it's getting late so let me take care of you." 

He picked me up into his arms, carried me to the bathroom and placed me in the shower where he carefully washed my entire body with a loofah. He dried me with a newly washed beach towel, picked me up again and carried me to the bedroom, making me feel like a princess. Then he found the body lotion I always carried with me in my purse and used it to give me a full body massage before he pulled one of his t-shirts over my head and put me to bed. 

"What was all that about?" I asked as he climbed into bed and pulled me into his arms. 

"You just deserve it," he said. "I'm so grateful I've met you." 

"So am I," I said softly and gave him a long, sensual kiss.