5 comments/ 24736 views/ 12 favorites Taking the Risk Ch. 01 By: shandal This is a slow, romantic build to hot sex, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and give feedback please as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Misha sat in the car his head leaning on his arms against the steering wheel, exhausted, listening to the freezing rain beating down on the windscreen of the car. He really didn't want to be here. All he could think about was his nice warm bed back home in Guildford; over forty minutes drive away. But here he was, bone tired with jet lag, probably still hung over from the excessive drinking and partying he did over Christmas and New Year with his cousins back in LA, and definitely not in the mood for being on a blind date. Looking over towards the house where he was supposed to be, he thought seriously of phoning them on his mobile to cancel, and explain that he was tied up at the office and couldn't make it. Last night, when he was at friends for dinner, even more exhausted than he was now, due to only arriving back in the UK from the States a couple of hours before, he had not had the energy to argue whilst Sarah, his hostess, had mentioned that one of the other couples at the dinner party had a sister recently divorced and in need of a bit of encouragement and support in getting back into the world of dating and meeting men. He had been chosen as the poor sucker to start the ball rolling. Before he left for the States he had been at a pre-Christmas drinks at friends when Sarah had sidled up to him, sliding her arm around his waist and in her usual forceful manner invited him, no told him, that she wouldn't take no for an answer, but he was to come to her for supper the night he flew back from visiting his family, so he didn't have to starve, or get a take away that night. Bone weary, the plane landing an hour late, he had driven from Heathrow to Sarah and her husband Pete's house in Purley, traffic slow on the M25 making the journey a real bummer, only to find another couple also there for the evening. Misha had sat through the meal, a really nice Braised Duck, too tired to really do it justice, letting the talk swirl around him, until he suddenly realised what they were actually discussing. Him. "She was just not right for you Misha; these highly strung Model types are too high maintenance on the emotional level. What you need it someone who is not walking around looking for the next mirror to look in. Besides its bad enough that you're a stunner in the looks department yourself darling, but to have you paired up with Miss Perfect is very hard for the rest of us mere mortals that have to socialise with you." Looking up at his hostess as she sat back at the end of the table, her sleek blond bob framing her patrician features, hazel eyes smiling at him as if she knew something that he didn't. But he had a very good idea he was about to find out what. Turning towards the other couple sitting opposite him, Sarah waved her hand, the very good Chablis in her glass sloshing over the side as she waved it at them, and in her usual direct way said, "Tell him Lorraine, about your younger sister, and what he is going to do as his good deed to start this year off." Sighing to himself as he sat back in his chair, he listened politely as the woman with the very long brown hair and a heart shaped face in front of him recounted the story about her sister and her woe's. "Francesca's divorce was finalised last month, after being separated from that bastard of a husband for over a year. In all that time she hasn't once gone out, except to friends and family. That shit of an ex husband of hers knocked all her confidence out of her and what she needs is someone to just take her out a couple of times to help launch her and build that confidence up again." "And Misha you're that man!" Sarah beamed, "you're not attached ever since you broke up with that woman at the start of December, you're more than eligible, and you're gorgeous. If I wasn't so in love with Pete I would jump your bones myself." "Melissa, her name was Melissa." Misha murmured. "Whatever. Anyway Misha, Lorraine's sister is very sweet, and just needs you to invite her out a couple of times, give her a little confidence in herself, see herself as desirable, and then you can introduce her to one of your friends, maybe John or that other one, what's his name? You know the one that tells all those funny stories." "Stuart" "Yes Stuart. Anyway Darling, you don't have to be stuck with her for long, just take her out a couple of times and launch her on the dating scene." He could hear Pete laugh to his right, as the woman opposite him called Lorraine carried on, "She's very sweet, very pretty, but Gary her ex has done such a number on her that she has no confidence, she just needs a little help to make her realise there is a life out there apart from looking after Jace, her son." "So how about it Misha, take her out a couple of times, do your magic, introduce her around maybe to your single friends, be the white knight and help launch her out into the great wide world." Four pairs of eyes stared at him. He really wanted to say no. He really did. And if he hadn't been so tired he probably would have put up some sort of a fight. But all he wanted to do was finish the meal, get in his car and drive home to that big comfortable bed in his apartment where he could sleep off the jet lag and catch up on the sleep he had lost over the last week of partying. So that is how he found himself the next night at that couples house, tired and fed up that he had capitulated and agreed to come to dinner the next night and be introduced to this divorced sister, who probably was a real dog that no-one really wanted to date, which is why she sat at home instead of going out. A single mother as well. He never dated single mothers, not after the last one. Every time he made arrangements to take her out the kid seemed to come too. It drove him crazy. He looked back up at the front door of the house through the driving rain, sighing to himself. The first day back at the office had been a nightmare, with phone calls and chasing up missing equipment that was needed for the video shoot next week, and he very nearly picked up the phone to cancel tonight at least a dozen times during the day, but each time some emergency occurred and his secretary or one of the team came running in and he never quite managed it. Oh well he was just going to have to go in, say hi, explain that he couldn't stay long, eat, and then go. They would just have to find some other sucker for their sister. Maybe he should give them Stuart's phone number. He was always ready for a laugh and an adventure. Getting out of the sleek black sports car and slamming the door he made a run, shoulders hunched up, for the house, the icy cold rain beating down on his head like needles. Standing under the small porch in front of the door, and brushing the rain off his suit jacket and hair, he looked back out at the dark and cold night, sighing. He really was missing his home town of LA right now with its easy going climate, the swaying palm trees, its crazy charms, the great Mexican food, and the eccentric people. Here in the UK it was cold rain, bad food, extremely eccentric people and a lot more cold rain. Turning back to the door he rang the bell and stood waiting like a condemned man waiting for his execution. The door opened and he stepped into the square front hall, his host, Bryan, smiling up at him. "Pissing awful weather tonight! Did you have trouble finding us? No, well I guess you used a Sat Nav, great things, you never get lost anymore. Well come this way, everyone is already here and you're a couple of drinks behind.' And before Misha had a chance to explain that he couldn't stay long his host walked over to a door on the right, opened it and gestured for him to go through. Walking through the doorway Misha looked into the large room and across it to the small group of people sitting around in large comfy looking chairs. It was then it happened. That amazing jolt to his body the second he set eyes on her. His world shifted and settled and he knew in an instant that he had just found the one. The other half of him. She sat there looking up at him, her soft brown hair framing an oval face, her green almond shaped eyes glancing up at him, and then shyly looking down into her lap. His head was spinning, and rooted to the spot, he just stood there staring at her, not aware of Bryan asking him what he would like to drink, or his hostess coming over and taking his arm leading him towards the woman he knew, but not sure how he knew, was going to be the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. "Misha let me introduce you to everyone. This is Marsha and Eric, old friends of ours that live around the corner and this is my sister Francesca. Everyone this is Misha. We met him yesterday at Sarah and Pete's. He's American, and lives over here." A drink was handed to him which he took, but he didn't bother looking to see what it was. He sat down, never having taken his eyes off the vision in front of him, watching her as she sat there, blushing, obviously uncomfortable with the situation she found herself in. He listened to the drone of conversation, every so often answering a question when it was asked, but always aware of the woman sitting, her legs crossed, and the skirt of the black dress she wore resting just above her lovely knees, her small hands clasped in her lap, her face tilted slightly down, so he couldn't see her features clearly. All he wanted to do was grab her and take her out of this room, away from all these people, the two of them alone, and find out all about her, to hear her voice, and kiss that lovely mouth that right now was gently smiling at something someone had just said. Misha raised the glass in his hand up to his mouth and took a long sip, only to find it was a very good Scotch. Suddenly she looked up at him, her eyes checking him out. Smiling to himself he winked across at her, and watched as she blushed and lowered her head again, in a shy gesture. The smile on his face got bigger; this lovely woman sitting only yards away from him was not as indifferent to him as she was trying to make out. Taking another sip he settled back in his chair, content and suddenly aware that he was no longer tired and fed up, but alert, buzzing and very, very energized. If this is what falling in love at first sight does for you he thought then he was one very lucky man. Taking the Risk Ch. 02 This is a slow, romantic build to hot sex, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and give feedback please as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Francesca sat, totally embarrassed and in shock as she watched the man walk through the door into the room. What must he think he has got stuck with for the evening? Last night when her sister had phoned and asked her to come to supper tonight and meet some friends of hers she had accepted. Mum was babysitting Jace for the night, and she was pleased to get out of the flat and actually have some adult conversation for a bit. It wasn't until she got here that her sister admitted that she had set up a blind date for her tonight with some man she herself had met only last night at her friends Sarah and Pete's. She was absolutely mortified. It had been a year since she had managed to get the courage to break up her marriage. Fed up being used as a punching bag, she and Gary had met when she was sixteen and had been together thirteen years, eight of them married. He was her first boyfriend, and the biggest mistake of her life, and now she was sitting here, the most gorgeous man she had ever seen, sitting staring at her as if she was something at the end of a microscope. People like him don't walk around in real life, only on the movie screen. His intense look had made her even more nervous, so much so that she was afraid to look up at him. He must be thinking, what the hell he has got stuck with for the night by agreeing to come on a blind date with her. Gary was always telling her she was such a little 'Haus Frau'. Big floppy tits, fat thighs, ugly face and boring, that's what he would scream at her as he hit her. She just wished the ground would open up and she could disappear into the big hole that would swallow her up and get her out of this horrible nightmare. Whatever was her sister thinking, setting her up with a blind date and especially one with someone like Mr Gorgeous over there? Glancing up as he took a sip of his drink, she was taken aback again by his extraordinary good looks and intense sexual charisma. Black hair, thick and layered topped an absolutely beautiful but very masculine face. Clear blue eyes with long black lashes looked back at her over the glass, that intense stare looking at her, and then he winked at her, making her look back down in to her lap, too scared to hold his gaze. She could hear Eric asking him what he was doing in London instead of back in the States, and in a deep, soft American accent she heard him explain that he had moved over to London for personal reasons about four years ago and opened his own business here, living down in Guildford, near where his English Mother lived. He went on to explain that his mother had been a World War Two war bride, his father over in the UK with the American Air Force, and had gone back to the States with him where he and his sister had been born. His mother moving back after his father died about ten years ago to look after his ailing maternal Grandmother, and then he had followed four years ago to settle in the UK and make a new life for himself here. Eric started to ask him about his business when Lorraine suddenly announced that the meal was ready and could everyone come into the dining room and take their places. Rising to her feet she suddenly felt a hand take her elbow and staring up she saw him looking down at her, a very sexy smile and a twinkle in his eye as she stood there, totally transfixed. He was extremely tall, at least six three or four against her five foot five. Five foot seven if you counted the heels she wore. He seemed to emanate an amazing charisma, which made her weak at the knees and where his hand held her arm there seemed to be searing warmth. Is this what they called Lust at first sight she thought? He is just too, too perfect. "Let me take you in to dinner." he murmured to her, his arm moving to the small of her back, he guided her across the room and through the door to the dinning room where he pulled out a chair and waited for her to sit down. Francesca sat and watched as he went around the table and took his place opposite her, smiling across with a sexy smile and another wink. Oh my God, she thought, he must think I am going to sleep with him tonight. Isn't that what all men think? That a divorced mother of a four year old must be desperate and easy, and he can get a leg over before disappearing, never to be heard of again. When she first broke up and moved into her little flat on her own she had three of her friends husbands turn up knocking at the door at night, telling her that their wives didn't understand them and could they come in. She was shocked and sent them away with a 'no thank you' and since then kept a distance from those three couples. But this was different. He looked as if he could have anyone. So what was he doing here on a blind date with her? If he wanted to sleep with her tonight, how was she going to get out of it? He looked as if he never had to hear the word no from any woman. As the meal went on and the conversation flowed around her, she would look up every so often and see him watching her, smiling to himself. After a while he spoke to her. "Francesca, that's a lovely name, does anyone shorten it and call you Fran or Frankie?" "No," she answered in a quiet voice, "my family call me Chesca, but my Grandma always called me Froo for some reason." "Froo. I really like that. Mind if I call you that?" and he smiled across at her. "My name's Mikhail, Misha for short. I was named after my Russian Great Grandfather who along with his four brothers walked out of Russia on foot at the start of the last century and immigrated to the States." Russian heritage, she thought, so that's where he gets his incredible colouring and strong looks from. Francesca sat and looked across the table at him, taking in his lovely eyes, bright and clear, his well defined cheek bones, straight nose and a couple of days growth of dark stubble surrounding a very sensual mouth that when he was smiling, like right now, creases and deep dimples appeared in his lean cheeks. "Are you a model or something?" Francesca could have curled up and died, she didn't know why she blurted that out, but she did and now he probably thinks she's very gauche, on top of everything else. "I did a bit to help pay my way through college when I was younger, but I have a company now that produces videos for Corporate Companies, training videos, that kind of thing. We're based in Central London and growing. What do you do Froo?" Embarrassed at her lack of career she mumbled, "I'm doing a typing course at the moment to get back into work. I was a full time mum before I got divorced, so I have no real job right now." Misha smiled, nodding, whilst Francesca felt herself go very hot, uncomfortable with her lack of experience and skills in life. She was so conscious that she hadn't done much with her life. Marrying, having a child, and looking after her husband and home, whilst it was apparent from what the man sitting at the other side of the table from her had said, that he had lived and done so much. Eating her meal and listening to the flowing conversation around her, she very rarely made a comment. In the past Gary had always told her that she was stupid and when ever they had come home after being with friends he had told her she'd made a fool of herself and him when she had expressed an opinion, joining in with the discussions between the people they were with. Starting to feel sorry for herself, her eyes starting to well up with repressed emotions, she suddenly stood up, mumbling to excuse herself and rushed out to the downstairs toilet. Sitting on the closed toilet lid, in the small room just off the front hall she hung her head, feeling a complete idiot. This last year had been such a roller coaster of emotions, and tonight, to breakdown in front of the person who was here as her blind date was the last straw. The tears started to flow and she sat there having a real crying jag. Once she had got herself under control she stood up and looking in the small mirror over the hand basin, winced as she saw that her mascara had run and her eyes looked piggy, red and swollen. Oh God would this nightmare evening ever end? To find out that she had been set up as a blind date with someone who must be horrified to be set up with someone like her, and then to have to sit down at the table opposite him with her face looking like she had gone six rounds with Mike Tyson was just too much. Washing her face and taking a deep breath she unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall only to find him standing there, his hands in the pockets of his trousers, slouched leaning against a wall and a pensive look on his face. As she stepped out of the toilet in to the hall he looked up and pushing himself away from the wall, walked over to her. Lifting one of his hands up to her face and cupping the side, he looked down into her eyes. Francesca standing there, her heart beating as if it was going to escape from her chest, she heard him whisper to her in a concerned voice, "You OK babe?" before his head bent down and he kissed her lips, gently in a feather soft kiss. In a small trembling voice, "Yes, I'm sorry if I made a scene in there." "No problem. You want to stay out here a while before going back in?" "Please." Taking her hand he led her to the bottom of the stairs and once she had sat down on a couple of steps up, he sat down at her feet. "Four years ago I was living with someone I was crazy about. I was just starting up the business and one night I came home to our apartment and found she had cleared out all her things and left. It took me over a year to get over it, and every so often the well of emotion would get me, even at the oddest times and places. Froo it's only human to get emotional and to feel raw after a relationship breaks down, for any reason." "I can't imagine any woman wanting to leave you." Laughing he said, "It wasn't the first time! Nor the last." Smiling back at him, she replied, "They must have been blind." Misha's face went serious as he took her hand in his and looking up into her red rimmed eyes quietly said, "Please don't judge me on my looks, give me a chance for you to get to know me as a person. My friends all tell me I'm an OK guy. Let me take you out tomorrow night. Marechiaro's in the Kings Road, I can pick you up around seven thirty and we can talk and get to find out about each other. I'm a very good listener if you want to unburden yourself on me." "I don't know if I can get a baby sitter with so much short notice." "Oh I think you'll find that your sister will say yes when you ask her!" Taking the Risk Ch. 03 This is a slow, romantic build to hot sex, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and give feedback please as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Misha stood outside the restaurant, the wind cutting through his leather jacket and the V neck black cashmere sweater he was wearing, its icy fingers reaching into his skin. Rubbing his hands together and stamping his feet he looked down the road to see if there was any sign of her. After her sister Lorraine had said yes to baby sitting for her the next night, Misha had tried to arrange to pick Froo up from her place, but she had insisted on meeting him at the restaurant. So here he stood a hard ball of panic in the pit of his stomach in case she didn't turn up, and freezing to death. Suddenly he saw her walking towards him, and his heart did a flip flop, the cold forgotten, all his focus on the woman getting closer with every step, her body enveloped in a shapeless dark grey coat, her hair sparkling with the damp. "Hi, you're here! I'm glad you came." "I'm sorry I'm a little late, my son did a big scene when I went to leave, and it took a while to settle him down." Misha turned and opened the door of the restaurant, allowing them to go in out of the cold and into the warmth. A waiter approached and Misha gave his name for his reservation and helped Froo out of her coat, before removing his and handing them to the man standing waiting next to them. Following the waiter to their table, Misha stood until Froo was seated before he sat down and smiling looked across at her. She looked so sweet, her cheeks slightly pink, either from the cold or embarrassment, he wasn't completely sure, and her hair curling around her face from the damp. She wore a scooped neck top that showed the beginnings of her cleavage, and Misha's eyes automatically roamed down to admire her lovely attributes. She wasn't skinny, or even slim, but softly feminine, her curves inviting, her breasts generous and her skin, where he could see it in the scoop part of her sweater soft and creamy. "What would you like to drink?" Misha asked dragging his eyes away from her body, and up to her face. The waiter handed them the menus, and unfolded the light blue napkins for the two people sitting opposite each other at the small and intimate table, the light from a small candle in a light blue holder giving off the gentle smell of roses. "A diet cola, please." "Do you want some wine with your meal? Red or White?" "No thank you, just some still water." Misha had a short discussion with the waiter and ordered a bottle of house red and the drinks for Froo. A silence settled over the table as the couple perused the menu, Froo self conscious about what to order, and the prices. She had some money in her purse, but it didn't look like nearly enough to cover her half. That is if she had to pay. She was so unsure of dating etiquette, do you go halves, or does the man pay nowadays? What should she do? Order the cheapest thing and just wait and see? Or should she say something now, maybe check and see, or would that be churlish? "Do you like fish? Because I can recommend the Sea Bass here, and they also do a really good Calves Liver." Froo looked up, "Umm I, Ummm, Misha ............." she started to say, embarrassed and unsure how to put the delicate question of the cost of the meal. Misha looked across at her, a frown on his face at her obvious worry about something, and then it clicked. "Froo, I've invited you out tonight, please choose what ever you want, the meals on me." And then she gave a big smile and his heart just melted. After they ordered and while they waited for the meal to arrive, Misha asked Froo about herself. Self conscious as ever, she didn't know what to say, so she summed up her life in one sentence, "Met my future husband at sixteen, married at twenty one, mother at twenty five, divorced at thirty. Just your every day boring life." Misha's eyebrows frowned causing deep creases between his eyebrows and said, "Back up, start at maybe fifteen. What ambitions did you have at that age, what did you want to do with your life then?" Froo laughed, "Fifteen, I just wanted to go out and enjoy myself, what about you?" "Fifteen, I was training for my school and county swim teams, looking to be chosen to swim for state, and then eventually the Country, main focus the Olympics." "You're joking?" "Nope." leaning his chin on his hand, "I was very focused, made the state, got a scholarship at UCLA, then was in a car smash that put an end to my dream at the age of twenty-one. You know that cartoon where you have a person in a hospital bed covered head to toe in bandages, arms and legs akimbo?" "Yes." "Well that was me." and laughing said, "and it was the best thing that happened to me." "What do you mean?" "Well for eight weeks I was dependent on people to help me. To feed and wash me, help me do all the daily things you need to do, and it taught me to appreciate others instead of being so focused on myself. Having to talk to people as I lay there in traction unable to move it taught me that everyone is interesting, with their own story, and it also taught me that life is for living and enjoying as you only get one shot." Looking at the lovely woman in front of him, his clear blue eyes smiling into hers, he whispered, "Now tell me your story, what your hopes and dreams are, what you like, what you hate, and why you think your not interesting and worth knowing. Because my lovely and very beautiful Froo you are an expert at deflection and it is not going to work on me." Froo sat there a wonderful glow settling over her, he had called her lovely and beautiful, and no one had said that to her in so long, especially a man, and one as attractive as Misha. During the next couple of hours, as they ate the meal they had ordered, Misha slowly drew out of Froo all about herself, the soul music she loved to hear, the nineteen fifties film Noir movies she liked to watch, what she did at college and how she had wanted to teach history, but ended up working in a local department store in the accounts department. How she met her husband and got married only to find out it was a mistake, but too scared to admit it to her family, until last year. She told him about her love of good art and going to the London Museums and art galleries, and how she wished she could have travelled and seen the world, but never got further than France and Spain." Misha listened, entranced by her, realising that there was a lovely, interesting woman who for reasons he still had to find out, had been stopped at reaching her full potential, and knowing that he wanted to be there to watch her to find it. As she spoke he watched her face, animated and glowing, her voice sweet and gentle, her mouth so kissable, and he could feel himself falling deeper for her, the initial electric attraction and connection that had happened the night before, taking deeper root, and spreading like tentacles through his soul. He had lived, and loved before. He was a man who enjoyed the company of woman, and had very rarely been without a companion in his life, but for some reason he knew, deep down inside of himself that this was the one for him, and he was going to help to build her confidence that had been destroyed and start to live, making a life together. As they walked back to her car, Misha held her hand in his, warm and large it engulfed her small one. She had so enjoyed the evening, feeling so much more relaxed than when she had arrived, nervous and scared. But he had put her at ease, listening to her as she talked, and telling her funny stories about himself. Making her laugh at the ridiculous picture he painted of his cousins and himself walking around a multi storey car park last week when they went out to a shopping mall, and only after walking around for nearly an hour on all the different levels, looking for the missing car, convinced it had been stolen, remember that they had parked in another of the malls car parks, and all of the four cousins laughing so much at their stupidity they fell to their knees, gasping for breath. He told her about his family, large and boisterous, the cousins all close, competitive at games, and how over the week with them he had been fleeced at a running poker game, his cousin Corey winning his money and then taking him out for the night to one of the most popular clubs in town on New Years Eve, and thanking Misha for bank rolling the evening at the end of it. When they reached her beaten up ten year old Ford Focus sitting parked in a side street she got the keys out of her bag ready to open the door, turning and about to say thank you for such a lovely evening, she found herself looking up, Misha standing close. He put his arms each side of her against the car and leaning down, his eyes watching hers, bent his head and kissed her. Soft lips against hers, his mouth slightly open, warm and gentle, his lips moved, nibbling and caressing, and then she felt his arms snake around her, pulling her in close to his body as the kiss increased. His tongue met hers, rubbing and swirling in a sensual dance, a low moan rumbling from his chest as his arms tightened, his hips leaning in close, the cold night around them forgotten. Slowly the kiss finished and Misha buried his face into her neck, kissing and nibbling her neck with his teeth, his warm mouth moving down towards the collar of her coat, her head leaning back, her eyes closed, waves of pleasure warming her. She felt him undo her coat and his arms reach in, his hands sweeping up her back, his face moving down, until his open mouth gently sucked at the base of her neck, before rising up for another deep and passionate kiss. "Froo," she heard him say in a hoarse, deep growl, just before turning his head and kissing her again, his clever tongue plunging deeper, his hands moving up and down her torso, his hips pressing her body hard against the side of the car. Panting slightly she drew back, her trembling hands pressed against his chest, her mouth wet, lips tingling, her voice faint and shaky, "Please Misha." "Please what Froo? Please more? Please don't stop. Because I know I don't want to. I could stand here all night and just kiss you, and never want to stop." "I'm scared." "No need to be, I'll never hurt you." "You don't understand." "What don't I understand Froo? That I want you, that I need you, so much it hurts. That last night I went home from your sisters and lay in bed just thinking about you, burning up with thoughts of you." and bending down he kissed her again, deep and slow, his clever hands sliding up her back, inside her coat, to the back of her neck, holding her still for his mouth as it took hers in a kiss so sweet it took her breath away. As he slowly broke the kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers, whispering to her, "I promise never to do anything you don't want. I understand you're nervous and this is all new to you. Let me take you out for dinner again tomorrow, we'll take it as slow as you want, just let me see you again." "Umm, I don't know. I'm not sure I can get a babysitter for tomorrow, and Jace would be upset if I didn't spend a third night with him." "Let me take you both out, you have to eat. I can take you both out. Does he like burgers?" "Yes." Kissing her forehead, he whispered, "Then it's a date, Burgers and the three of us. Tomorrow, I'll pick you up at your place, about seven, and we'll go and eat, and I promise to behave." Smiling Froo looked up into his bright blue eyes, "Make it six, he's only four and gets hungry early." "Six it is." and bending down for one last kiss, his mouth closed over hers before he pulled himself away and helped her into the car. Bending over, his head looking in at her through the open door, he said, "Drive carefully, and I'll see you tomorrow." before closing it. Misha watched her pull out of the space and drive away up the road. His groin was tight in his trousers, his heart beating fast, his mind like mush. So this is what it's like, real passion, and real love. Tonight was just the start, and he was looking forward to tomorrow, his plan of winning her taking root in his brain. For he knew it wasn't going to be straight forward, but he was a patient man, and he was in for the long term. Taking the Risk Ch. 04 This is a slow, romantic build to eventual hot sex in later chapters, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and give feedback as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Robin sat opposite his friend, looking at him with a look of complete shock. "So, how the mighty have fallen." he laughed, "She must be something else." Misha lifted the beer bottle to his mouth and took a long drink, the noise of the lunchtime crowd in the bar swirling around the two men. "Yeah, sweet and curvy, with deep green eyes a man could drown in. She's a little shy and not very confident, I think due to her marriage and her ex husband, but inside of her I can sense real passion, and tonight I'm taking her and the kid out for a burger." "Misha, how olds the kid?" "Four, almost five." "In that case my man you had better go loaded with a gift for the kid, to win him over and score some points with the mother." That is how Misha ended up buzzing up to the apartment at six o'clock that night, his arms loaded with a Batman action figure for the kid, and a bunch of white roses for Froo. Her disembodied voice came through the intercom, "Hello." "It's me Froo, Misha." "Push open the door and come on up, I'm on the first floor." Taking the stairs inside two at a time, he ran up until he came to her door; with her standing there, door ajar, a small boy his face peeking out from behind her. "Hi babe and I guess this is Jace." The face disappeared behind his mothers' legs, and Misha looked up at Froo, his left eyebrow raising high, a quizzical look on his face. "He's been excited about going out all afternoon, come on Jace, say hello to Misha." The small face reappeared, green eyes like his mothers staring solemnly up at him. Misha put out his hand to shake, "Hi, I'm Misha. How're doing?" A small hand came out to shake his, "Hello. Is that Batman for me?" "Yeah, you like Batman?" "Yes, my dad bought me one; I've also got Spiderman." "Cool. Well here's your old Batman's twin brother to keep him company, and here's some roses for your mom." Froo took the flowers and blushed, "Thank you." Following her into the small apartment's hallway, Misha watched as Froo walked through a door and into the kitchen, bending over to take out a vase from a lower cupboard, admiring her round bottom encased in faded blue jeans, as her baggy shapeless sweater fell forward revealing a small expanse of skin on the small of her back. "I'll just put them in water and then we should go. I normally put Jace to bed around eight, and the nearest place that does burgers is down in Croydon." Leaning his hip against the kitchen counter, Misha watched Froo cut the stems and place them in an elegant vase, filling it with water from the tap. He could hear the young boy running up and down the hallway, making noises, two Batman's, one in each hand, pretending that they were flying. "Can I have a kiss hello?" "I thought you said you would behave tonight!" "Yeah, well I lied." and moving close slipped his arm around her waist, bent down and kissed her sweetly, until they heard a small voice say, "What are you doing with my mummy?" Froo jumped back, her face flushed, her eyes wide and bright. "Just saying hello to your mom." "That's not how you say hello to people." "Mmm." Froo looked down at her son, and then up at the man standing looking so out of place in her small kitchen, "I think we had better get going. Get your jacket Jace; let's get the show on the road." oooOooo Misha sat at the wooden table, the boy sitting on his lap, showing him how Batman could do a handstand. Froo sat opposite, fussing that her son was annoying the tall man, not having left him alone since they had entered the American Style Diner on the outskirts of the town. Patiently letting the young boy bounce around on his lap, Misha asked Froo, "I thought you said he got tired around now, seems to me he's found a second wind." "Is he annoying you?" Wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, "Nope, but I would prefer it if you were sitting on my lap," Laughing out loud, she looked around and that is when she noticed a couple of woman sitting at a table across from theirs, looking at Misha, whispering, their facial expressions obvious to her. They were wondering how someone like him could be sitting with someone like her. The laugh died in her throat, and she looked down at the remains of her meal, all enjoyment gone. Misha watched her and glanced over to where she had looked, the two woman openly appraising him, and then back at Froo. Leaning across the table he picked up her hand and held it, smiling at her, the little boy chattering away. "Hey, how was your burger? You want anything else?" "No thank you. Can we go now? I need to get Jace to bed before he gets over tired." "No problem, I'll go pay the bill." Misha was so used to those looks from women. He'd had them all his life. He knew he was good looking. It wasn't vanity. He had been told it enough times in his life, and he looked in the mirror in the mornings to shave. But it had never been important to him, at least not that important. He was comfortable with himself, working out a couple of times a week at the gym and swimming regularly to keep his body trim and in shape, but more interested in using his brain and his talent as a producer of video's and his organisational skills than in exploiting his genetic good looks. Walking over to the till to pay, he looked over at Froo who was busy fussing with her son, helping him to get his coat on. He mentally ticked off in his head to put this on the list of things to sort out, and find out why she was so easily intimidated. oooOooo By the time they had got back to her place, the young boy was asleep in the back of his car, and reaching in, Misha hoisted him in his arms and carried him up as Froo unlocked the door to the apartment. "Which room is his?" "The door on the right, at the end of the hall." Walking into the room he laid the sleeping boy down, and stood back as Froo started to undress her son, the child never waking up. "I'll go and put some coffee on for us." he whispered as he backed out the room leaving her to finish seeing to the child. Walking into the kitchen he opened up cupboards until he found what he was looking for and started to make the coffee. Slipping off his jacket and laying it over the back of a chair in the kitchen he leaned against the counter waiting for the kettle to boil, and that is how Froo found him, arms crossed over his chest, leaning back, feet crossed at the ankles, his bottom lip being bitten pensively between his teeth, a small frown on his face, deep in thought. Looking up as she walked in, he watched as she just stood there in the doorway, looking like a little child about to be told off. Opening up his arms he invited her wordlessly into his embrace, and held her against him, his chin resting on the top of her head, her face buried into his chest, and then he felt her start to cry. Rocking her gently back and forth in his arms, he let her weep. The kettle boiled and he reached across to turn it off, and still she cried. His hand came up and stroked the side of her face, pushing her hair behind her ear and bending his face down, whispered, "Let's go into the other room and sit down, where you can tell me all about it babe." Leading her through to the lounge, he sat down on the sofa and pulling her onto his lap, cradled her against him, as she sniffed trying to hide her face from his sight. "Every time we meet I seem to break down and cry. You must think I'm mad." "No sweetheart I don't think you're mad, I think maybe you need someone to unburden yourself to. I think you've been hurt very badly and held it in for so long that it's all trying to come out, and I'm here and ready to listen if you want." Glancing up at him through tear soaked lashes; she said "You'll be bored, and I'm just being silly." "How do you know? Not unless you try me." "I don't know why you want to be with me? I must be boring you to death." Misha smiled, a wry smile, "Because my little Froo I really don't want to be anywhere else other than with you, and no you are not boring me to death. Stop judging me and comparing me to others. I'm not them, I'm me and I want to be with you, tears and all." Settling her head back down to his chest he asked her in a deep rumbling voice to tell him the story of her marriage, and slowly it all poured out about the hell she had been living the last nine years. How from the moment they got married her ex would shout and hit her, telling her she was nothing. She had only ever had one lover, and that was him, and he ridiculed her, saying she was boring in bed and he had girlfriends during the marriage that he would compare her to. He had told her that they knew what to do and how to please him, and how ugly and inept she was. How when she'd fallen pregnant with their son he had made her give up her job, and that she'd become totally dependent on him, financially and emotionally, until last year when she could take no more and filed for divorce, only to find he still controlled her. The abusive phone calls started, and now when he turns up at the flat to collect their son for visits, he makes her beg for her son's maintenance money, and intimidates her. Misha listened, his heart breaking for the woman in his arms, kissing the top of her head, and rubbing his hand up and down her back, soothing her when it got too much. Froo hiccupped as she told him that the last year she had found it difficult, lonely as many friends just did not invite her anymore as a single woman, it seemed that couples prefer couples and she was no longer one. Telling him about the three husbands of friends who did turn up on her doorstep expecting sex, she started to cry again, and he hugged her close, murmuring soothing noises to her as he stared across the room sightlessly, imagining in his minds eye how scared and alone she must have felt in the past and now understanding why she was so lacking in confidence and so emotionally raw. Froo went quiet, laying there against his warm body, her eyes burning from all the crying, totally exhausted. The silence in the room was deafening, and suddenly flushed with embarrassment she started to struggle to get up out of his lap. "Where do you think you're going?" and his arms held her tight against him, pulling her back down into his body, "Just lie still for a while, relax, and rest." So she lay there, listening to his heart beating against her ear, unsure whether he would ever want to see her again after that outburst. Misha sat and thought about what he was going to say, and how much he could tell her about his feelings without scaring her completely. After about ten minutes he decided to put his cards on the table, so to speak, and in a quiet rumble started to tell her about himself and how he felt. "I told you four years ago the person I thought I was in love with left me. We had been together for just over two years. We met in New York where I was living at the time, working for one of my uncles and learning the ropes. Suzanne was stunning, blond, tall and highly strung. She loved to party, to be the centre of attention, and I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She moved in with me a couple of months after we met, and it didn't take me long to realise she had a serious drug problem, and that the highs were from cocaine and the lows were when she was coming down." Kissing the top of Froo's head, he continued, "I tried to look after her, to keep her away from her friends that encouraged her, but when I did she went mad, going off for days at a time, bingeing and coming home a mess, obviously having been with someone else and just screaming at me. It broke my heart, but I kept on, trying to make it work. Eventually one of my best friends, John, was offered a transfer with his bank over to London from New York, and Robin, another friend and I decided to take the risk and go as well. I thought that if Suzanne and I moved over here, away from the suppliers and her crowd she might have a chance at coming off that filth. So we moved, and after four months I came home one night to find she had fled." Lifting up Froo's face to his and kissing her mouth, a soft kiss, his lips gentle and reassuring, "I was heart broken, and I never thought I would feel that way again. But Froo I have. The moment I walked into that room the other night and saw you it was like I'd been hit by a bolt from the blue, I can't explain it, and I don't know how it happened, but I know that I'm in the right place, with the right woman. I'm here for you and I want to look after you, and make things all right from now on. Just give me the chance to look after you, to help you to become strong again, and to let go of your past." Froo sat looking up into his eyes, his words a complete shock, unsure she had heard correctly. Suddenly the phone rang, and the electric moment between them broke as the shrill ringing interrupted the special moment. Taking the Risk Ch. 05 This is a slow, romantic build to eventual hot sex in later chapters, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and give feedback as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Misha and Froo stared across at the ringing phone, the shrill noise insistent in the quiet room. Sliding off his lap, and walking across to the phone where it sat on the small table in the corner of the room, Froo picked it up and said, "Hello!" "Where the fuck have you been, I've been trying to get hold of you bitch for the past couple of days?" Embarrassed and flustered, she turned her back towards Misha, stuttering, "I was at Lorraine's for supper. What do you want?" "What the fuck do you mean, what do I want. I want to be able to see my son. I want you to drop him off tomorrow night at my place for the weekend, and I'll let you know when you can pick him up dumbo." "OK. What time tomorrow? "About eight, and don't be late." and then the line went dead as the phone was put down at the other end of the call. Froo stood there, her back to Misha, unable to face him. She heard him get up behind her and then his arms sliding around her waist, pulling her body back against his. Feeling his mouth at the side of her neck, a soft kiss and a whisper, "Froo your not alone, let me help you to deal with this from now on." oooOooo Jace was chattering in the back of the car, telling them about what happened today at pre-school, and how his friend Ben had fallen over and hurt his knee. The two adults only half listening, both lost in their separate thoughts. The woman nervous at what was going to happen when Misha, who had insisted that he accompany her on the hand-over to Gary occurred, and the man driving beside her, considering different ways he could help Froo without coming over to pushy and controlling. Pulling up in a space in front of the building, Misha looked across at Froo. "You OK?" "Yes," Climbing out and moving his car seat forward so Jace could get out, he reached into the back seat and grabbed the small bag with the little boy's weekend stuff in. Slamming the car door and looking over the top of the car at Froo, he waited until she started to walk over to the apartment block, and then joined her, until they stood at a dark brown door, and rang the bell. Eventually the door opened and a man appeared, a couple of inches shorter than Misha, with dark brown hair cut short, slim and wiry, he looked down at his son who started to show him the two Batman figures, and chatter away to his father, then up at Froo, and finally to Misha, a hard look on his face. "Who's this Chesca? Got a new friend?" Misha put his arm around Froo, "Names Mikhail Rubin, I take it your Gary, Froo's ex husband." Not taking his eyes off Misha, Gary asked Froo, "You got a lover boy Chesca? Not sure if I'm too happy with you screwing your bit on the side in front of Jace." "Gary please can we not argue in front of Jace. I've packed his things and I'll pick him up on Sunday. What time?" "I'll call you when I'm ready." Bending down Froo kissed her son, before turning around and leaving, Misha walking, his arm around her shoulder protectively, angry and tense at the way he had observed the way her ex treated her. oooOooo Sitting in the pub at the top of Box Hill, Misha settled back and watched as Froo sipped at her Coke. "Babe, do you have a restraining order in place?" "What's that?" "It's an order from the court that stops your ex from coming to your home, or if you want from coming within a prescribed area near you." "No." "What about visitation rights, what was put in place by the courts?" "Gary can see him at weekends. But he likes to see him really when he wants." "OK, what about the maintenance, what did the court set down?" "Gary is meant to give it to me every month, but he's always behind. At the moment he owes me a couple of months." Leaning forward Misha picked up her hand in his, and explained, "I have a very good friend who's a Lawyer, if you'd like I can ask her to see you and advise on how to make sure your better protected." "I can't afford a Lawyer!" "Jane owes me some, if I ask she'll do it as a favour." "I can't ask you to do that." Smiling a big smile he murmured, "Yes you can, you can ask me to do anything you want to. If you asked me to roll over and let you scratch my belly like a puppy I would do it in an instant." arching his eyebrow he laughed, "Just try it and I'll roll over right here and now." And taking a deep breath, let out on a big dramatic sigh, "Please................" Joining in the laughter, Froo told him, "They don't allow dogs in here, I would have to leave you outside in the cold, tied up by your lead and shivering." "Oh, so you're into that are you? Bondage and discipline." Shaking her head and giggling. "No, don't be silly." Suddenly there was a look that went between them, sexually charged and heavy with intent. Whispering Misha said, "I want to make love with you baby, so bad it hurts." A hot flush ran up her body, cheeks going pink with a rapid blush, hands trembling a little. She knew this would come up and she was so unsure how to handle the situation. "Misha, Ummm......................I don't..............it's not that I ................well you see..........I..............oh God, I don't know what to say." "A simple yes would do." Looking down at her lap, embarrassed and shy she started to explain. "I'm not very experienced, and my body isn't really that great." "Hey stop right there. Don't knock yourself. You're beautiful and very sexy, and if you want to talk about perfect bodies, then there's no such thing. If I was the kind of man who only wanted to be with someone that he considered 'perfect' then I would be a real big shit. You're sweet, and funny, and I love the gentle way you are with your son. I find you interesting to talk to, and I watched how you were tonight with your ex, you handled him in such a calm and sensible way, and baby just thinking about you makes me hot all over. " "It's easy for you say that no-one is perfect when you look like you do, I've given birth to a child, my boobs aren't perfect, my tummy isn't flat and I have a pear shaped body." "I happen to have a real fetish for pear shaped bodies." Laughing again, Froo said, "Stop it." Slapping his hand that sat on the top of the table between them, "You're mad, and totally irrepressible." "I take it that's a no then?" "Can we get to know each other more?" "Yes Froo, we can get to know each other more." Picking up her hand in his, he kissed her palm, "Take it at the pace you want, but just remember, there are just so many cold showers a man can take." "It'll do you good, cleanliness is next to Godliness!" "In that case I'll be squeaky clean in no time at all." Taking the Risk Ch. 06 This is a slow, romantic build to eventual hot sex in later chapters, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and give feedback as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Standing at the top of Box Hill, the cold night surrounding them, stars glinting in the dark sky, Misha held Froo into the crook of his body, his legs splayed out as he leaned against the stone wall of the little outlook platform at the top of the hill. Spread out in front of them the lights from the town of Dorking glittered as well as the small little villages disappearing into the distance. Puffs of mist escaped their mouths as they breathed, and Froo lent her head back against Misha's chest, looking up at the clear night sky. "Tell me about Los Angeles, what was it like to grow up there?" "It was fun, my family is enormous and most of my cousins lived down the road, or not far away, so I had lots of fun. We all liked to swim and surf and pretty much grew up as a pack, along with my best friends Robin and John." Settling his cheek against her head, he carried on, "We lived outside of the main centre of LA in Glendale, middle class in a mixed neighbourhood, went to school locally, until I went to UCLA and shared with Robin and John a tiny place in Westwood, where we pretty much drunk and partied for most our college years. Dad worked hard all his life as an accountant, and mum taught music. My uncles and my dad were into sport and family dinners at weekends were at each others homes, where we had big major baseball games in the backyard that always ended with lots of laughs and tears, and whenever I was in a swim meet half the audience was made up of my family." "Sounds fun." "Yeah it was, but also sometimes constricting and claustrophobic. Everyone knew everything about everyone, and everyone had an opinion. When I had my accident and woke up in the hospital my Uncle Sasha was telling the Doctor what to do with my legs, and my Aunt was trying to set a nurse up on a date with my eldest cousin Andrei." Froo giggled, "Not with you then?" "No, not with me, they couldn't have found me under all the bandages. What about you? What was your child hood like?" "Very middle class, but not like yours. I have an older sister and a younger brother, we lived in Epsom, and I loved horses. I worked down the local stables mucking out in exchange for rides, I did OK at school, but not great, and went on to college to do my 'A' levels so I could go to Uni to learn to teach, but then I met Gary and ended up working at the department store. My parents were lovely, and we had a great childhood, with holidays down in Devon and Cornwall, or in Bournemouth. It always seemed to be raining, and I learnt how to swim by my dad in the indoor swimming pool of a hotel down there. It's also where I learnt to dance in the little night club that the hotel had." "You like to dance?" "Yes, do you?" and twisted her head back to look up at Misha. "Well now it depends if what you describe me as doing on a dance floor as dancing. Actually I look like a reject from a string puppet show. My arms and legs are everywhere, very inelegant and slightly embarrassing for whomever I'm dancing with." "Really, you mean to tell me you're not perfect!" "No Froo I'm not perfect." Kissing the top of her head, he told her, "actually you talk about your body and what you imagine is wrong with it, I have some bad scars on mine, and the one thing I've learnt is they're part of me and my life, and to get over them." Froo turned around in his arms, a serious look on her face. "From your accident?" "Yeah, from the accident." "I thought you were joking when you said you were like the man in the cartoon, bandaged from head to foot." "Nope, I really was like that. In traction, both legs broken, one ripped open ankle to thigh, broken arm, ribs. Cuts over my body from broken glass, and my face looked like a football that had been kicked." Giving him a big hug, Froo murmured, "I'm so sorry, it must have been horrible." "Well I've had better times in my life than the accident, but as I said, it ended up a blessing in disguise, apart from the scars, which are part of me now." Bending down, mouth slightly apart, he placed his lips against hers, sliding his arms tighter around her body as it leaned up against his, nestled between his thighs, the quiet night at the top of the hill surrounding them. The kiss deepened and Froo felt his hand move up to hold her head steady, his fingers threading through her hair, a small noise escaped her throat as his tongue danced with hers. Slowly their lips broke apart, and Misha kissed the end of her nose. "Can I see you tomorrow? Maybe we could go to the movies?" "Yes, I'd like that." and she lifted her face up for another kiss. oooOooo Sitting astride the weight bench in his spare bedroom, his feet hooked behind the bars, pushing up against the weight, Misha worked his legs. Looking down at his right leg and the scar that ran along its length, he watched as the muscles in his thigh moved, gliding under the marked skin. Remembering the phone conversation this morning when Robin had asked him how everything was going with the new romance, and when was he going to bring her over for everyone to meet. "We're going to see that Tom Cruise film tonight, and I'm going to approach the idea of her coming to the crowd gathering on Sunday for lunch. But don't hold out much hope, she really is a little skittish, and it might take a little while to get her to meet up with you idiots. You can be a little overwhelming." "You always did have a soft spot for rescuing injured animals." "What do you mean?" "I mean you are a sucker for a damsel in distress Misha, always wanting to be the one on the white horse to the rescue." "That's crap Rob." "Is it? What about Suzanne? What about that other one, what's her name, you know the one that was the out of work actress that was between jobs, home and brains?" "You mean Clare, she was really fun, a little crazy, but great fun. I never knew which of her many character roles I was coming home to for the couple of months she camped out at my place." "Yeah, but remember the mess she made to your place as well, it's just as well she got a job at that repertory theatre up north or she would still be living at your place, piles of open boxes in every corner." "I have very fond memories of Clare, she was into Yoga, and watching her do it gave me some very imaginative and interesting ideas for in the bedroom, thank you very much. Expanded my repertoire no end!" "And this single mum, she expanding your repertoire Misha?" In a hard voice that brooked no argument or discussion, "Rob, any talk about her like that is out of bounds, even with you." "Oh it is serious then? Well let me know if I need to book two more places for tomorrow at the restaurant, and I promise if she comes, to go gentle on her." oooOooo Froo sat next to Misha, the action on the screen tense, Tom Cruise trying to look like a German, his patch giving him a slightly sinister appearance. Her hand clasped in Misha's, she glanced towards him as he watched the film, a grin on his face, dimples pronounced in his cheeks as he sat totally engrossed in the plot unfolding before him. Her attention was brought back to the action happening up in front of her, as she watched an actor yell and run, total anarchy erupting up on the screen, then she let her mind wander again to the real life man sitting beside her. She felt so comfortable with him now, his gentleness and kindness towards her had allowed her to trust him and start to really relax in his company, and his passionate kisses had ignited something inside of her that had been missing for so long. For so long her life had been lived on the edge, never sure of Gary's moods and how he would treat her. Scared of him, but unsure what to do, she had put up with the abuse, both physical and verbal until she saw how it was going to effect her son, and then she took action, but even now she had to deal with her ex husband alone, his wicked tongue stripping away her hard won composure. But yesterday, for the first time, with Misha next to her she felt stronger, easier to deal with the hand over, protected without it being obvious. Maybe this was the turning point she had dreamed of. A new life, with a new strength, and with someone who seemed to care. Turning her head slightly to her left, she watched Misha as he focused on the story playing out up on the screen, with its horror of retribution. She also knew that he wanted to make love to her, and she was so worried about it, of disappointing him, being found wanting Ashamed of her body, she looked down at herself. Full breasts that had breast fed her child and no longer were as firm and as high as they used to be. Her belly was a little round with silver stretch marks marring her skin, and she didn't think she had the ability to satisfy him, hating to see the disappointment in his face, like she would see in Gary's. Unable to reach orgasm when he made love to her, her ex husband would ridicule her, telling her she was not a complete woman, and in the last year of their marriage had hardly touched her, preferring other women. Looking back up at the screen and the movie, she watched with unseeing eyes as the movie finished, wishing she could be the woman she thought Misha would want, and not the scared little mouse she really felt inside. During the drive back home, Misha asked her opinion of the movie, and truthfully she said, "I think he is a very good actor, very intense and focused and I always like Brian Singers direction. But something didn't quiet gel with me, and I'm not quite sure what." "Yeah I agree, maybe it's because you always can see its Tom Cruise, even with an eye patch, and maybe it's because you know the outcome so it doesn't come as a complete shock. What's your favourite modern film?" "If you mean modern as in last ten to fifteen years I love 'Usual Suspects' another Brian Singer film, and 'Phone Booth' both modern film Noirs." During the rest of the ride they discussed the merits of various movies, until they arrived at her place, Misha turned around to face her, "Froo, I really enjoyed myself tonight, watching the film with you and talking in the car, Would it be OK if I come up for a coffee and a kiss to round off the night.?" Her face serious, Froo answered, "Only if you behave." "But of course, would I do anything else?" Taking the Risk Ch. 07 This is a slow, romantic build to eventual hot sex in later chapters, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Froo stood at the kitchen counter, stretched up reaching into the cupboard for the coffee and the mugs, standing on one foot. As she did so she felt a pair of warm hands slid under her top and then glide up her skin. Moving from her waist to the side of her ribs, and then around to the front of her body, she then felt his body pressing hard against her back. "Mmm baby you feel so good." and turning her round in front of him, Misha's head came down and took her mouth with his, his hands gliding up and down the sides of her body, slowly, up and down, each time getting closer and closer to her breasts. Breaking the kiss, Froo leant back, her hands against his chest, "Misha, you said only a kiss." Groaning deep in his chest he leant back down to kiss her again, deep and wet, his tongue teasing the inside of her mouth, his hands sweeping round to her back, holding her still, his hips pressing into her, her bottom pressing against the counter. After some time, he broke the kiss, stepping slowly back, "See, just a kiss Froo," She stood there in front of him, her mouth swollen and wet, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling, and he stepped back up close to her and threading his hands through her hair, kissed her again. This time he felt her hands rise up around his back, her hands grabbing the fabric of his sweatshirt, as if it was all that was holding her up. On and on the kiss went, until they both had to break apart to breathe. "Wow that was some kiss baby." Two arms snaked up around his neck, and an angelic smile looked up at him as she pulled his head back down, "Stop talking and kiss!" A laugh rumbling in his chest, Misha obliged and the two bodies pressed hard into each other as they joined mouth to mouth, tongue to tongue, the coffee forgotten as they stood in the small kitchen. Connected to each other, the man totally aware of the soft female body in his arms, his body curving into hers, his hands moving to feel her curves under her baggy top, her waist, her back, her ribs and then round until his hand reached up to cup her breast, gently squeezing. Froo felt his hand at her breast, the tips of his fingers reaching into the lacy cup, and sliding back and forth across her hard nipple. Electric warmth seemed to pulse from her breast straight down to her belly and then beyond, causing her to tighten her arms around his neck, and deepen the kiss, and suddenly she felt two strong hands reach around her waist and hold her, then lift her up until she was perched on the counter behind her. Misha pushed her knees apart stepping in between, and then his hands on her bottom, pulled her forward, breaking the kiss, only to start kissing and nibbling down her neck, onto her shoulder, his hands reaching for the bottom of her sweater, his hips pushing hard against her crutch, his hardness obvious to her. "No Misha Stop!" The warm wet mouth at her neck continued to kiss and nibble its way down to the front of her neck, her head leaning back, "Misha, wait.........no.......stop." Raising his head, his hands holding her sweater up around her chest, Misha's eyes were hot and heavy with desire. Standing still, every muscle in his body tight and ready, his breathing shallow and hot, he stood there in front of her waiting, his control on the edge. "Just a kiss.......no more. Please. I'm not ready." Still standing there in front of her, still and quiet, his blue eyes boring into hers, she felt him gather and gain control over himself, and then watched as he stood back, letting go of her sweater, and turning to the fridge behind him, where he leaned his head against his arms, face buried, his wide shoulders hunched. A quiet apology escaped her lips, "I'm sorry......" Muffled by his arms, "No sweetheart, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong." Turning his face towards where she still sat on the counter, "I promise we'll go at your pace. You'll just have to expect me to get a little ahead of myself sometimes. But I promise when you say stop I will." and then pushing away from the fridge, "I had better get going." Walking over to her, his hand stroked her cheek, and he bent forward to kiss the end of her nose. "Tomorrow a group of my friends are meeting up for lunch in the Fulham Road. Would you like to come with? I can pick you up around eleven thirty and we can pick Jace up on the way back after lunch." Froo sat there looking up at him, "I'm not sure......" "Please babe, otherwise I'll be all alone in the crowd, missing you, and besides you have to eat." "But your friends might not want me there." "They'll love you. Look if you come with and start to feel uncomfortable we can leave. All you have to do is say 'Misha I want to go' and we're outta there." "Are you sure?" Bending down and kissing her lips, softly he whispered "Yes I'm sure." * Misha drove through the dark night, the car speeding down the motorway, his eyes on the road in front. Speaking into the microphone of his hands free that sat above his head by the mirror, he gave Robin his instructions, "Phone up in the morning and book two more places, she's coming. But tell everyone to go easy on her please." "No sweat my man, two extra places, be there about one, I'll put the word out to behave." "Especially Stuart!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah, especially Stuart." Pressing the end button on the hands-free to finish the call, Misha drove on into the night, memories of those intoxicating kisses lingering in his brain. * Froo stood in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at herself, her eyes checking out the outfit she had just put on. Black slim trousers and a slit necked black sweater, her hair up in a pony tail, big silver hoop earrings swung from each side of her neck. She looked so boring she thought. Besides what does someone wear to a Sunday lunch out in the Fulham Road with friends? Misha's friends at that, they probably would be dressed in designer labels, all looking like him, stepping out from a fashion magazine or a movie. Oh well, it's the best she could do. Picking up the bottle of perfume she had received from her sister for Christmas, she sprayed the light floral scent into the air and stepped through it, allowing it to settle over her. As she bent down to pick up her bag from the bed the phone rang, and standing up she stayed still, a flutter in her stomach, worrying that it was Misha to say he had changed his mind and was cancelling. The phone continued to ring persistently, and slowly she walked into the lounge and picked up the handset. "Hello!" "Get over here and pick Jace up now. I'm going out and I want to leave in twenty minutes." Gary's voice spat out into her ear. "Gary, I can't right now, I can be there in about thirty minutes. I'm waiting for Misha to arrive." "The pretty boy? I don't give a shit, be here in twenty minutes or I'm leaving Jace on the doorstep for you." "You wouldn't." "Try me bitch. Get over here now." The slamming down of the phone echoed in her ear, and she started to shake, upset and confused. Running into the bedroom she grabbed her bag, and then back into the lounge and picking up the phone, dialled the number Misha had given her to contact him. Listening to it ring four times she was just about to put the handset down and leave when she heard Misha's deep voice. "Hi babe, everything OK? I'll be there in five minutes." "Oh Misha, I'm sorry but I can't come, I've got to go and pick up Jace." "Froo, what do you mean?" "Gary just phoned, I have to go and pick up Jace right now or he'll leave him on the doorstep and just go." Misha put his foot down, speeding up the car, "No Froo, you stay there, I'll be there in a few minutes, and we'll pick him up together." "But he'll leave him on the doorstep if I'm late, and I've already taken too long on the phone to you." Putting as much command into his voice without scaring or upsetting the frantic woman at the end of the phone, "Froo I told you, I'll be there in a few minutes, go down stairs and wait for me at the entrance, as soon as I pull up you can jump in the car and we'll be there in time. I promise you." Misha pulled up the sleek Mercedes and watched as Froo pulled open the passenger door and got in, a look of distress on her face. Reaching across to pick up her hand, he whispered, "Don't worry, he won't leave him alone on the stoop, he's just bluffing to get a rise out of you." "You don't know Gary, he will, just to prove a point. Please Misha can we go." Pulling the car out into the road, he sped along, glancing across every so often to her, "I'm so sorry to spoil everything. After we pick up Jace, if you drop me at a bus stop you can go on to meet your friends." Misha gave a mock laugh, "You're kidding right?" "No, I don't want to spoil your day, Jace and I can catch a bus home, and you can go onto the Fulham Road." "Froo, sweetheart, we pick up Jace and go onto the Fulham Road and lunch together, along with Jace, it's no problem." "But won't your friends be angry having a small child coming with for lunch." "Not in the slightest, he can join the other kids on the children's table, Robin and Joanie have two, one of them Jace's age, and Mike and Pam have one, a real little monster called Logan, named after the character of Wolverine in X Men, and living up to his name." Froo just sat there in shock, "You're friends have children?" Misha smiled over at her sitting there next to him in the speeding car, a look of real confusion on her face, "Yeah, most of my friends have kids, I'm thirty three, and John, Stuart and I are the last of our crowd not to get married. When we get to the restaurant, the conversation will probably be about the best schools, what disasters the kids have been up to, and Logan will start playing up at some point and Pam will bribe him with the candy she keeps in her bag for just these moments. You and Jace will fit right in Froo." As they pulled up in front of the door, Misha looked across at Froo and whispered, "See we're here on time babe, just learn to trust me, I won't do anything to hurt you ever, I promise." Taking the Risk Ch. 08 This is a slow, romantic build to eventual hot sex in later chapters, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Looking down at the menu in her hand, Froo sat and let the conversation swirl around her, feeling slightly overdressed. Everyone, including Misha was wearing jeans and sweatshirts, or very casual clothes, children hung off adults, or sat at a separate table, chattering out loud, totally at ease in the Mexican restaurant, packed with families out for Sunday lunch. Misha's arm slid around her shoulder and kissing the side of her neck he asked her, "See anything on the menu you like, apart from me?" Smiling she answered, "Umm, not sure!" "Ever had Mexican food before?" "Not really." "Well then let me make some suggestions, if you like hot stuff, the Spicy Chilli is really good, or not so hot, go for the sizzling fajitas, maybe chicken or prawn. For Jace the kids menu has burgers and milkshakes, so you're safe there." "What are you having?" "I've got an asbestos mouth from living in California most my life, so the hottest Chilli they have, and an ice cold beer to wash it down." Smiling up at him, she nodded just as a small boy of about six with bright red hair, and freckles pushed between them and demanded from Misha, "You said you would bring me that drawing you did of Wolverine, where is it? You promised." Froo heard a plaintive wail from the small redheaded woman at the end of the table to her right, "Logan, leave Misha alone, sit down and behave." "He promised to do me a drawing for my wall." and grabbing Misha's dark blue sweatshirt he demanded, "Give it to me." "Logan, put Misha down, you'll scare him." her husband laughed, and everyone joined in the laughter. "Go sit down and behave." Misha looked down at the young boy, still holding onto his top, and squeezed between his and Froo's chairs. "Well, it's like this Logan. I have the drawing sitting in my car outside, and if I think you've behaved yourself today at lunch, you get it, if not I take it home with me. Your choice, you want it, behave, you don't carry on like you are and you won't even get to see it." Froo watched as the boy looked at Misha with a scowl on his face. "I don't believe you." "Tough." "Is it really in the car?" "Yep." "OK, but you have to give it to me if I behave." "Cross my heart." and Misha crossed his chest with his hand. "Behave and I'll get it for you, misbehave just once today and it's gone." As the small boy rushed back to the children's table nearby, his mother asked Misha, "I don't suppose you would consider adopting him Mikhail; I'd even pay you if you want." "No thanks Pam, he would cramp my style." then bent over and kissed Froo's neck, whispering in her ear. "Did you wear your hair up just to make me hot and bothered, I really want to bite that neck of yours, and there are too many people watching right now." "No." "Well wait until we're alone, I intend to have your neck for dessert." * Sitting on the couch much later in her lounge, watching her son and Misha lying on the floor, a colouring book and crayons between them, as they worked on filling in a picture in the book, she reflected back on the lunch they had with his friends today. It was fun; everyone was really nice, and seemed to just accept her naturally, as if she was part of the group. Joanie, blond, beautiful and incredibly slim, sitting opposite her had asked about what she liked to do, her course and how she was doing on it, whilst her husband Robin had sat and talked to Misha about a football game he had gone to yesterday. Jace had joined in with the other children, only coming over a couple of times, asking to go to the toilet or just to sit on her lap for a few minutes before wriggling down and going back to join in the boisterous group of children, all of whom seemed so at ease sitting away from their parents at the separate table. The man called Stuart had told some very near the knuckle jokes and at one point Misha had jokingly placed his hands over her ears, telling everyone that she was not allowed to hear any dirty jokes in case it gave her ideas. Everyone seemed to laugh a lot, and gently poke fun at each other just as good friends do, in a non aggressive way, especially at Misha who took all the silly comments with a twinkle in his eyes and a laugh on his lips. It was fun, and she really enjoyed herself, the lovely company, and the spicy food. Now they were back at her flat, Misha and her son had been playing on the floor for over an hour, and soon she would get Jace ready for bed, and she would have the man, now laying on the floor, his sweatshirt riding up his back, revealing a strip of warm sexy looking skin at the base of his spine, all to herself. * Misha stood leaning against the frame of the lounge door, his arms crossed against his chest, listening to Froo putting the child to bed. Bathed and fed before she had taken the young boy to his bedroom, his plaintive begging drifted down to him, pleading to be allowed to stay up a little longer. Watching as she came out of the bedroom and walked towards him, her hair pulled back revealing the soft skin of her neck, her curvy luscious body getting nearer to him, he pushed away from the door, and took a step towards her, his arms reaching out to pull her close, before lowering his head and kissing her. "I've waited all day for that." Breaking the kiss and smiling down. "You taste of apple juice, sweet and warm; I think I could get used to this." "Well you still taste of Chilli and beer!" "Want to sample some more?" "Yes." "Then come on, lets get down to business." Grabbing her hand he led her into the lounge and towards the couch, where he sat down, pulling her onto his lap and made a bee line for her neck. Kissing and nibbling his way down from her ear, to the gentle curve where her neck met her shoulder, he could smell her sweet fragrance, and mid bite said, "Ah dessert, it took too long to arrive." Her head slightly back and to the side allowing him access, she laughed a sexy low laugh, deep in her throat, encouraging Misha to take it a little further. Lifting his mouth up to hers, they kissed, and his hand rose up to cup and knead her breast through the fabric of her sweater. When she didn't stop him, his hand left her breast to tunnel up under the sweater and rub the skin on her back, the kiss unbroken. Froo's hands tentatively moved to his shoulders, and then around his neck, until their mouths drifted apart, lips wet, little puffs of breath mingling as they looked at each other. Stroking his chin with her hand she observed, "I love your stubble, it looks very sexy, and it's tickles when you kissed my neck." "In that case I'll never shave again!" Laying down sideways on the couch, he pulled her along his body so she lay next to and slightly on top of him, one hand running down to cup her bottom, the other cupping the back of her head, pushing her down to kiss him. Froo felt so safe with him, safe and in control, her usual inhibitions slowly melting, knowing he would stop when ever she asked, but wanting to go a little farther than they had yesterday. Taking his lead she broke the kiss to nibble down the side of his neck, and as he bent his head back she continued to nibble under his chin at the front of his neck and down to the small hollow at the front where she swirled her tongue, hearing him groan deep in his chest, and felt the rumble vibrate against her body. His hands were rubbing up and down her back, each time her sweater moving higher and higher up her body, and his hips twisting towards her trying to find her to push against. Suddenly she felt him move, reversing their positions so that he was slightly over her, his face buried where her neck met her shoulder, his mouth sucking, his hand sweeping up her sweater revealing her bra. Lifting up his head he looked at her eyes, silently asking for permission before looking down at what he had revealed, the backs of his fingers gently brushing across the soft mounds exposed above the white lace cups. "Froo." Escaped his lips just before his head bent down and his lips replaced his fingers, kissing the soft skin, as she felt his fingers tugging down the bra so that her nipples were revealed, dark pink and hard. The exquisite feel of his warm wet mouth as it suckled at her right nipple started a warmth to travel down to her belly and further on to between her thighs, her head straining back, her body arching up. Sharp teeth bit down on the hard bud, then licked it before sucking it again, the small pain so wonderful she pulled his head down closer to her as she panted, begging for more. Transferring his mouth to her other nipple, Misha repeated the attention he had given her other breast, the feel of her against the sensitive skin of his mouth and tongue driving him higher and higher, his groin hot and tingling, his cock hard inside the confines of his jeans, getting painful, needing release, rubbing against her leg. "Baby, you're just perfect." he growled as he moved back to the first breast and worried with his teeth the sensitive tip, as his hand squeezed and pinched at her other breast. "Oh my God," Froo gasped as he drove her higher, the hot and throbbing pulse in her vagina as the blood engorged her muscles there, wanting to be filled. "Misha...........Oh my God." Moving down from her breasts, Misha kissed her belly, and started to undo the fastening of her black trousers, only to feel her hands in his hair, pulling his head back, "No, please .......I.......please." "Shhh baby, it's OK," and his mouth went back up to her breasts, his hands sweeping around her back, lifting her higher up to his mouth where he bit, licked and sucked until she couldn't take any more. "Misha.......please....!" Raising his face above hers he dipped his mouth to hers, kissing her sweetly as he pulled up her bra, and covered up her wet glistening flesh, hiding them from his sight. In a deep thick voice, "It's OK Froo," and burying his face into her shoulder he fought for control as his body calmed down. Smiling to himself, his face hidden, he realised that he hadn't been in this position since he was a teenager. This, he thought, was going to be the longest protracted period of foreplay he had ever participated in, if they kept this up! Taking the Risk Ch. 09 This is a slow, romantic build to eventual hot sex in later chapters, between two lovers who find each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please feedback as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * The week had gone by in such a blur, each night Misha had come round, either taking her and Jace out for supper, or coming over to eat, with her cooking. Every night he would play with Jace as she either got the meal or herself ready, before settling down to eat or leave for the burger restaurant. Each night after Jace had gone to bed they would cuddle up on the couch, kissing and touching each other, but never going further than she would allow him to go. In reality she wanted to go further, she wanted to make love with him, but she was so shy about him seeing her naked and disappointing him. He was so gorgeous and she would stand in front of the mirror in her bedroom and look at herself with a critical eye. Her full breasts, having breast fed her son as a baby were no longer firm, her tummy no longer flat, but with a small round softness, small stretch marks on her belly, breasts and thighs. The handful of pounds she had put on with the pregnancy had not completely been lost, and standing sideways in front of the mirror she looked at herself, seeing herself as she thought Misha would see her, like her ex husband had seen her, and found herself lacking. She so enjoyed Misha's company, and loved how he made her laugh, his dry sense of humour matching hers. They had sat, her on his lap, between kisses, each night talking about themselves, finding out more about each other, finding out their views on life, sometimes agreeing, sometimes not. He made her feel relaxed and safe, never critical, even when she burnt the potatoes one night, telling her that he loved very crispy, crunchy roast potatoes, and laughing told her that he needed a visit to the dentist anyway. Last night he had told her more about his past, how he had gone a little crazy after he and Suzanne had broken up, getting drunk too often, going out clubbing with abandon, and being careless until his friends had taken him away for a week to a rented house in Windermere overlooking the lake, and told him a few home truths. Realising he was being self pitying he had come back to London and thrown himself into work and his business, enjoying himself, but now in moderation. Froo had told him about how she had lost herself in her marriage, never feeling as if she had grown as a person, always feeling slightly self conscious when with other people. How she wished she had followed her dream of teaching, but didn't regret having her son, just wished she could have done both. On Saturday night she had been invited to some friends for supper, and she had shyly asked if he would like to come with to meet her friends, expecting him to say no. But he had told her he was looking forward to the evening and that on Sunday they could pick up Jace and join his friends for another Sunday lunch, this time at a Chinese restaurant in China Town. Her life seemed so much more joyful and rounded now, no longer sitting at home alone, each day she looked forward to the evening and her time with Misha, his deep and passionate kisses, his hard body pressing down against hers on the couch, his hands stroking her skin, his hot mouth at her breasts. Every day she could feel herself becoming more and more aroused, walking around all day, a part of her feeling unfulfilled, needing him inside her, but scared of disappointing him. Tonight they were dropping off Jace at Gary's and then going out to a local bar with some of Misha's friends where a local Blues Group where playing. Life had definitely become more interesting since two weeks ago and the night of the blind date. * Laughing at the comment Misha had just made about the lead singer in the band they had listened to at the bar, Froo unlocked her door, slightly giggly from the wine she had drunk. His hands on her shoulders, he stood close behind her, tall and sheltering. Moving into the hallway through the door, she asked, "Want a coffee before you go home?" only to turn around and stare up at him, the look of undisguised passion in his face, as he stood there still and waiting. "Misha?" "Froo..........?" The kiss when it happened was so beautiful it promised so much, lips nibbled and slid as tongues swirled, hands grabbed at each other, his in her hair, and around her back, hers holding on to his shoulders, bodies straining and rubbing against each other, needing so much more. "Where's your bedroom?" his voice deep and rough with need, his eyes bored into hers as the kiss finished, mouths parting, lips wet and shining. "Down here." and taking his hand she led him to her bedroom, her heart beating hard in her chest, scared of what was to come, but needing to have him inside her, to feel him surround her, to feel loved and complete. If just this once. Misha followed, his eyes never leaving Froo, the tightness in his jeans where his cock throbbed with his need growing, his body tight with anticipation. Standing facing each other in the moon lit room, the hallway light falling across the double bed behind them, the silence broken only by their deep breathing, Misha slipped her jacket from her shoulders, letting the dark grey woollen covering fall un-noticed to the floor, before shrugging off his leather jacket. "I'm so scared I'll disappoint you.................." "You could never disappoint me Froo, let me love you. Let me show you how good you really are." he started to unbutton the black cardigan she wore, button by button, until it opened to reveal the plain black bra encasing her plump soft breasts. Smoothing his hands under the sides of the cardigan he slid the soft fluffy top off her body to join the jackets in a pool of material on the floor at their feet. Taking hold of the bottom of his light blue cashmere sweater, he pulled it up and over his head, revealing to the woman standing quietly, scared but fascinated, his well defined chest and long muscled torso. The skin so warm and inviting, swirls of dark black hair travelled down, narrowing as it ran from chest to navel, and then beyond, the rest of the trail hidden by the waistband of his jeans. Tentatively raising a hand up she lightly touched his chest, her hand stroking across the inviting flesh and wiry hair, eliciting a groan from him, his eyes closing as he absorbed her touch upon his hot body. Opening them again he bent down, kissing her sweetly, and then sat down on the end of the bed to remove his boots. Froo stood there watching him, unsure what to do next, only to see him lift up his open hand to her, after he had removed both boots and socks, in a silent gesture for her to join and stand in front of him. "Froo, I want to show you something. I told you I have scars, and that I'm not ashamed of them. They're part of me, just as my hair, eyes, or mouth is. Just as your body and what life has given you, is part of you." Slowly he turned his back towards her, sliding sideways on the edge of the bed, as she looked down at the long tapered length of his back. Nestled between his shoulder blades an L shaped silver scar marred the smooth skin and further down to the right of his back another silver scar ran, two or three inches long, pointing from the right towards the indent of his spine. Turning back to her he looked up at her face, smiling gently, "Those are the pretty ones." and moving his fingers to the fastening of his jeans he undid them, then lifting up his hips, slid off the faded blue denim from his legs to join the growing pile of clothes on the floor. Froo gasped as she saw the livid scar running up his right leg from ankle to mid thigh, jagged and in places slightly dark and puckered it marred his otherwise perfect limb, the dark hair sprinkled on his leg not hiding the results of his youthful accident. "See baby, I'm not perfect. No one is. Let me love you." Never taking her eyes from his, her hands shaking she undid the fastening of her own jeans, wriggling them down her hips, revealing her rounded hips and thighs, black lace knickers covering her light brown pubic hair and womanhood. Using her feet to push off the black pumps from her feet, she shucked the material and kicked it behind her, to stand timid and unsure, naked apart from her underwear, as Misha's eyes swept over her body, his eyes taking in every part of her that was revealed to him, a small smile on his lips. "Oh Froo.......your so lush and sexy" Bending forward, his arms snaking around her waist he pulled her towards him, to nestle between his spread out thighs, and bowing down he burrowed his head in her soft flesh, kissing the small stretch marks that ran down her belly, before his tongue plunged into her navel, swirling around it before he gently bit down on her skin. Warmth spread down between her thighs to pool in her groin, as small butterflies started to flutter inside her behind the area where his clever mouth kissed and nibbled on her body. Her hands threaded into his hair, holding him to her, her head slightly back, her eyes closed; she revelled in the feel of his wet mouth as he worshipped at her, forgetting at that moment she had ever felt embarrassed at her body's appearance. Feeling his hands at the clasp of her bra behind her back she raised her hands to hide herself demurely from his gaze, as the black lace cups slipped down, only to find his gaze now on her breasts, his hands gently moving hers away as the bra continued to slide down to her wrists, exposing her to his view. "Don't hide yourself baby." he took the black lace and tossed it aside, taking hold of her wrists again and moving her arms out away from her body as he gazed at her full round breasts, the dark hard nipples surrounded by slightly crinkled large light pink circles. "Perfect. Perfect and very, very inviting." He whispered just before he took one into his mouth, sucking it deep into the warmth where his tongue lathered it, making Froo go weak at the knees. Holding onto his wide strong shoulders, she stood as he suckled, bit and licked at each nipple in turn, the blood rushing down to her sex, engorging it, moistness lubricating her, preparing her for what was next to come. Taking the Risk Ch. 10 This is a slow, romantic build and as in this chapter, hot sex between two lovers who have found each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback, as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * They lay upon the duvet, his body covering hers, mouths joined. Leaning up on his elbows, his hands holding her head still; as he took her mouth, tongues intimately dancing. Hot skin rubbed against hot skin, sliding softly, nerve endings aware. Her nipples tingling as the rough hair on his chest scraped against them, making the sensitive pebbles harden even more as the blood rushed into them. Her leg slightly rose up, her thigh rubbing against his thigh, her foot rubbing down his calf, her nails scraping down his back, and then up again. She felt his head move down to the side of her neck, only to feel a small pain as he nipped the delicate thin skin there, before moving further down, kissing and nibbling each small fraction of an inch as he grew closer to the tingling buds on her chest. Arching her back off the bed, she gasped deep in her throat as his mouth closed over one of the tight hard and sensitive tips, his teeth closing around it, biting gently down before releasing it, only to lather it with his tongue and then bite it again. On and on he repeated the ministrations to her breasts, first one nipple then the other, his hands cupping and squeezing the soft globes, pushing the ends up closer to his mouth, making access to them easy. The electric connection from her breasts zinged to her belly where a pulse beat hard and deep, before pouring down into her groin. Her hips grinding against his, seeking his hard cock as it rubbed against her, still encased in the black boxer shorts he wore, she moaned in pleasure as her body took her deeper into the delicious feelings she was drowning in. Slowly he turned her over onto her stomach, and sweeping the hair hiding the nape of her neck, baring it for his mouth, kissed her there, before trailing small wet kisses down the line of her spine, past her shoulder blades, to the small of her back where he bit the tender skin, as his hands swept up and down her sides. Burying her face into the duvet, her lower spine now the focus of all her attention, she hardly noticed as his hands drew down her small black pants hiding her bottom from him. Holding her still, his hands each side of her waist, he continued his downward journey with his mouth, biting gently the globes of her buttocks, then the tender skin where her bottom joined her thighs, and lower still, down her thighs, the backs of her knees, his mouth and teeth leaving a hot trail where-ever it touched. Rising up on his knees at the bottom of the bed, Misha admired the erotic sight of Froo laying before him, her hair a swirl on the pillow where her face lay to the side, her bottom slightly raised up, her legs apart revealing the sight of her glistening womanhood. Removing the boxer shorts he watched as she turned her lovely feminine body to lay slightly on her side, looking back towards him as he revealed his hard manhood, nestled in the dark pubic hair. Completing the turn and laying on her back, Froo looked up at his body as he knelt there, his chest and stomach moving with each deep breath he took, his knees slightly apart, his penis pointing out, the smooth dark head, it's small eye glistening with pre cum, his balls hanging down below, heavy and ready. Stunning. There was no other word for it, he was stunning. Strong, masculine and very, very ready, he knelt there looking down at her with such a sensual look, it took her breath away. Then he moved, sliding down on to his stomach, his head between her thighs, he moved her legs further apart just as she felt his tongue sweep up across her sex. The wet tip moving through her labia to find the hard nub hiding there, and as it touched the sensitive little bud, her body lay back, her arms rising to hold the bars of the old wooden headboard behind her, her hips moving up off the bed to offer him better access, panting at the wonderful sensation his tongue was causing her. Back and forth his tongue swept, his fingers holding back the folds that shielded it, and then taking the clitoris into his mouth he nibbled it with his teeth, before sucking and licking it in an erotic play. Her musky sent swirled in his head, her taste invading his senses, the feel of her thighs moving restlessly each side of his head drove him on. Wanting to give her pleasure, to let her feel the wonderful release that orgasm can bring he licked, and bit and sucked at her, feeling her body buck against his mouth. Sliding his middle finger of one hand deep inside her, he felt her tight wet hole, the muscles slick with moisture as he moved it up and down, bending it to find the most sensitive spot on her inner walls, and feeling her body jump, hearing her gasp out loud, he carried on moving her higher and higher towards release. "Oh God, oh God, please...oh just there...yes there... Mmm...yessssss..." Erotic little moans joined in with the broken entreaty's as she strained to reach the peak his clever mouth and finger drove her to, until she felt as if she would shatter. The release when it came caused waves of utter pleasure pulsing through her body, her perspiration slick body arching, her head thrown back, her eyes wide and unseeing. Her shout of bliss ringing out, pulled from deep inside of her. * Floating, she returned to reality, her body languid and relaxed. Misha's face, smiling, dimples deep in his cheeks, looked down at her, his hand stroking the hair away from her flushed face. "Wow, when you cum, you really cum, huh!" Too relaxed to speak, she just smiled up at him, a beatific smile that made his heart miss a beat. "I love you Froo." he whispered, as he lifted his body over hers, positioning himself between her legs, arms rigid each side of her head, he looked down at her as he slowly entered her. She felt like heaven to him, her vagina tight and wet, and her inner muscles grabbing greedily at his cock. He settled his hips, before moving back, almost totally withdrawing before thrusting back down deep, feeling his balls hit against her bottom. Froo's body reacted instantly, her legs raising up, twining around his body, ankles crossed in the small of his back, as he started to slide in and out, a steady rhythm building, each forward thrust rubbing against the sensitive nerve endings and muscles inside her still not completely still from her first orgasm, his pelvic bone chafing her engorged clit. Her arms slid around his body, holding up onto his shoulders, her nails digging in as the feelings started to mount again with each hard thrust forward. "Mmm.... Uhhhhhhhh... uhhhhhhhh... uhhhhhhhh." came from deep within her throat in tandem each time the end of his manhood slid down hitting her cervix, "oh...oh...oooohhhhhh." Misha felt her tighten around him, picking up his pace, his head drawn back, teeth gritted, he now lost himself in the all consuming tension pulling at him in his groin, the hot tight tingle as his balls contracted, getting ready to spill his seed deep inside the woman under him, gasping in her pleasure as her orgasm started to explode. As the vibrations of her orgasm milked his penis, he felt the rising of his spunk, and then the breathtaking explosion as it pumped into her, his own orgasm reached. Taking the Risk Ch. 11 This is a slow, romantic build and as in this chapter, hot sex between two lovers who have found each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback, as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Froo slowly awoke, the feel of the warm, hard body up against her back, a strong masculine arm holding her possessively around her waist, and the gentle breeze of soft breaths against the back of her neck. Laying still and quiet she luxuriated in the wonderful memories of last night, the deep kisses, the way he made her body feel as he nibbled and sucked at her sensitive skin, the slick fullness as he had slid back and forth inside of her, the phenomenal pleasure when her body had erupted in the powerful orgasms. Even now she was aware of her sex pulsing, the slightly bruised and well used feeling between her legs so very sensual, her breasts a little tender, the nipples more sensitive than they had ever felt before. Wanting to stretch she started to move her legs, only to feel one of his move, hooking over hers, and pulling them slightly back, pinning her still, and his arm, which before had lain draped over her torso, now moving, a large hand sliding up her body to cup a breast. "Mornin' babe" the deep sleep laden voice whispered into the back of her neck just before she felt a soft kiss in the nape of it, leaving a warm tingle on her skin. "Hi." she shyly answered, suddenly aware of the growing hardness against the small of her back, The feel of his hand slowly stoking and squeezing her breast, and the sound of their combined breathing, as they lay relaxed and languid in the bed, was heaven. Froo felt as if this was the only way she ever wanted to wake up in the morning from now on. After a while she turned towards Misha, her body rolling around to face him, her arms slipping up to wrap around him. Face to face, their heads on the pillow, they smiled at each other. "Thank you for last night." she whispered. "My pleasure." he replied, "and that's only the beginning!" Eyes crinkling at the corners as his mouth smiled, "How do you feel?" "Good. Very good. I think I've discovered some unused muscles." "You know the best way to stop sore muscles?" "No." Whispering as his head lifted up from the pillow and his mouth took hers in a long gentle kiss. "Give them some more exercise!" Misha gathered her tighter into his body, the soft feel of her breasts, capped by the hard nipples, squished against his chest, his hardness pressed against her pelvis, his leg twinning with hers. The musky scent of last nights sex mingled with her natural smell, and the taste of her early morning mouth as his tongue licked at the silky inside of her mouth, tightened the tension in his body as he began to move sinuously against her, causing him to drown in the sensations assaulting him.. He felt her move her arms from behind his back, where her hands had been stroking the long length of his spine, to around and down, and her small hand cautiously touching his hard penis. Groaning deep in his throat he lifted his hips encouraging her to take hold of the hard member, before laying back in total abandon as he felt her fingers wrap around and stroke him. "Yes baby, Mmm........ a little stronger." His hand moving down to guide her, one leg bent, his hips rising up into the thrust of her hand. "That's it, yessssss." Froo knelt up next to him, her hand moving at a steady rhythm, she looked down at his lovely body laying golden against the white cotton sheets, his face laying back against the pillow, eyes now closed, hair mussed and glossy black, one arm laying crooked above his head, and she slowly lowered her face, to gently kiss the end of the hard rod in her hand before opening her lips and replacing her hand with her warm wet mouth. An even deeper groan rumbled from deep inside his body, and his hand went down to the back of her head as he lay there absorbing the feeling of the wet warm mouth sucking him. Her tongue stroked and licked at his cock, first up along its length, then around the sensitive tip, to back down again. Each time her mouth moved, her lips rubbed against the silken skin of his cock, the back of her throat touching his sensitive tip, so his hips responded bucking up to meet her, Heaven, he was in heaven, and as she worked him, he rose higher and higher towards the grip of release. Froo let her tongue swirl around the hard cock in her mouth before sucking hard, moving her mouth up and down, one small hand taking hold of the base, the other his balls, feeling him restlessly buck beneath her face, listening to his panting moans. Faster and faster, harder and harder she worked, feeling him expand in her mouth, the hand against the back of her head pushing down. "Froo I'm going to cum" he panted, looking down at the erotic sight of her head moving up and down over his groin, her hair tickling the skin there with each movement. "Hunhhhhh!" His thick creamy sperm pumped out into her mouth, where she swallowed it, licking his cock with one last swirl of her tongue, before rising up, a red blush on her cheeks, "Was that OK?" "OK?..... It was fucking fantastic!" Sweeping up he grabbed her, pulling her down on top of his body, and threading his hand through her hair, settled her face against his shoulder, "Fucking fantastic.......you sexy bundle of love." Froo lay there glowing with pride. Gary had preferred her giving him head in the last couple of years of their marriage, but he always told her she was crap. But Misha had told her she was fantastic, and along with the orgasms she had last night when they had made love, her confidence in herself had started to rebuild, something that was long knocked out of her by her ex. They lay there, both bathing in their own thoughts until Misha asked quietly, "Froo, are you on any birth control?" "Yes, I have a coil fitted from when I was married. I never had it removed. Gary didn't want anymore children." Misha nodded slightly, relieved, he'd got carried away so fast last night he had forgotten to use any. Reaching across to his right he turned on the bedside radio and the two lovers lay listening to the music playing, After a while he asked her what she would like to do today, and bending her head up to his from her position on his shoulder she said, "anything you want to." "No sweetheart today is about you. What would you like to do?" Thinking about it she asked, "Have you ever been to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square?" "Nope, would you like to go there?" "Yes please. It's been years since I went, and then it was by myself." "The National Gallery it is then." and giving her bare bottom a slight slap with the palm of his hand, "Get up woman, I need my caffeine, and a pee, not necessarily in that order." Laughing she rolled off him, and grabbing her towelling robe, ran through the door towards the bathroom shouting behind her, "You'll have to wait until after me then, so start the coffee slowcoach." A loud masculine laugh followed her out the room and into the bathroom, where she shut the door, standing leaning against it, a big smile on her face. Taking the Risk Ch. 12 This is a slow, romantic build between two lovers who have found each other. Character based the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. Just like real life, they find that not all runs smoothly as people interfere, but the passion between them doesn't change. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback, as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life * They stood in front of the painting, side by side, staring at the drama depicted on the canvas before them. "This is my favourite painting." Froo told Misha, "I love the dramatic lighting, and the various expressions on the faces in the group. See how the children are frightened and upset, and yet the main central figure of the man is excited at what he's doing." "What's the painting called?" "Experiment on a Bird in an air pump, by Joseph Wright of Derby." "It's kinda sad; it looks like the bird is going to die." "Yes, and all the faces in the picture show their reactions to what is happening. Different human reactions to a central focus, varied and real." Misha looked at her face as she stood admiring the work, it glowing with wonder as she absorbed the magnificence of the painting. In the past couple of hours they had wandered around the Gallery as she explained to him a little information on some of the works, an inner radiance escaping as she discussed with him her thoughts and feelings on certain pieces. Falling in love with her a little more, he could see another facet of her personality, one that impressed him, one that he knew was a part of her passion, long held inside of her, unable to be shared with anyone. Taking hold of her hand they walked through the high wide entrance that led to the next room, "You hungry yet?" "Yes, are you?" "At my size I'm always hungry. Come on; let's find somewhere to grab something." Walking out of the main entrance, before them the majesty of Trafalgar Square, with its high column, Nelson perched on top, surrounded by the four black lions and fountains, there they stood zipping up jackets and deciding which way to go in the search of food. "If we turn left and go to Covent Garden there are some great little places, or to the right and the Haymarket, and at the top Leicester Square and SoHo. Lots there to choose from." Froo grinned, "You're the one that's starving, you choose." "Ok, Covent Garden and Pizza, there's a great place not far." and taking her hand in his they started to walk, people swirling around them, even though it was cold, London on a Saturday as usual busy and bustling. * Sitting in the Pizza restaurant, the remains of her meal being attacked by Misha as he lifted the last slice up to his mouth, she glanced around the cosy room. People were talking and eating, enjoying their day out in the Capital City, some people had large shopping bags denoting various shops logos sitting at their feet, some couples with little toddlers' wriggling on their laps, feeding them food, the children happy and content with their parents. Wistfully she watched as the man in one couple wiped the mouth of a child, whilst his wife sat opposite him, belly large with another growing inside, looking as if she could give birth at any moment. Misha watched her, watching the couple, a small smile on her lips. He found her so enchanting in so many ways, inviting and roundly sexy, unaffected and natural, interesting and intelligent; she was a gentle and sweet natured person. Unable to understand how her ex husband didn't appreciate her, and treated her so badly; he enjoyed being with her, even the quiet silences between them, like right now, comfortable and companionable. Startled, he realised that she was so very different from any other woman he had dated or had a relationship with. There was no artifice, no front with Froo. What you saw is what you got. Not classically beautiful like some he had been out with, she had a gentle, clean and natural attractiveness that made him melt each time he looked at her. Very little make up hiding her soft skin, and her eyes, so very green, sparkled, lighting up her face, revealing every emotion as they occurred. Her ex husbands loss was definitely his gain, and one he intended to expand upon. * Froo stood in the middle of the large room that reflected its masculine owner. Big brown leather couches sat opposite each other, a large wooden coffee table covered with car magazines, remote controls, a black iPod, open laptop and various CD's sat between them, whilst an enormous flat screen TV was fixed up on the wall above an expensive stereo system. A battered old guitar leaned up in a corner of the room, and a pair of silver dumbbells lay next to a pile of old newspapers. After they had eaten Misha explained that they had to go down to Guildford and his apartment as he needed to get some fresh clothes for tonight and the next day. Whilst he was packing in his bedroom, Froo walked around his home, taking in the essence of the man she had become involved with. On the shelves of a unit she saw a selection of photographs in frames, and wandered over to look at them. The pictures were of Misha and his family, all the men tall and dark haired, big smiles on their faces, a family resemblance to Misha obvious. The woman all beautiful and striking, holding onto their men, arms snaked around waists, or standing holding young children in their arms, big smiles and radiating confidence. All very happy, all very Californian, all very intimidating to Froo. "Hey, I see you've found my family." "There seems so many!" "Yeah, I told you I came from a large family." and walking over to where she stood, placed the leather overnight bag and his suit bag down on the floor at their feet and picked up one of the photos. "This is my cousin Andrei and his wife. I told you about my aunt sorting out a date while I was in the hospital. Well this is the nurse he ended up with, Shirley, and their daughter Rosa. She's a real cutie. Over Christmas she spilt her orange juice over her cousin Nicky's head because he wouldn't stop teasing her. His face was priceless when it happened. Best of all it was all captured on video by her dad." "Sounds like you all have such fun." "Yeah, I miss them sometimes, but I also like being able to get away from them all. So I think I've found the perfect solution. Living here and going back for visits. The best of both worlds. How about you, I've met your sister Lorraine, but you haven't really spoken much about your family. " Froo walked over to a window, looking out at the fields behind the apartment block, watching a lone walker and his dog as they made their way across the large expanse of green. "I'm the middle child. My sister, who you know, and a brother off wandering around the world. He's doing a kind of perpetual gap year that has lasted at least five. I hardly ever see him." "Cousins, do you have any of those?" "Yes, a couple, but were not close. They live up north, far away. Last time I saw them was at some family wedding." Walking over to her, he stood behind, his arms around her pulling her back to lean against his body, and resting his chin on the top of her head stood quietly, watching the owner in the field below throw a ball, and the dog, bouncing along, tail wagging, run to collect it. The two people stood watching from above, lost in their own thoughts. * Later that night Froo sat fuming as couples that had been friends with her and Gary when they were married, but had not bothered asking her round, or ignored her invitations to come to her after the divorce, chatted with Misha, offering him to play golf with the men, or how about the two of them coming over for supper one night this week? During the past year she had sat at home most weekends, with nowhere to go, even thought she was free and Gary had Jace. But when she had asked people if they had wanted to go out to see a film or come round there was excuses from most. But now it seemed that she was part of a couple again, and they all wanted to have Misha to join the little crowd of friends. Misha chatted easily with everyone, sitting his arm around Froo's shoulder, as if he had known them for years, whilst she sat quietly, seemingly ignored as usual. Martin, bald and short with a black goatee beard was telling Misha about the golf course he played at, and would he like to join him and Mickey for a game next Saturday? "Well Martin that's really nice of you to ask, but golf isn't really my game, besides I need to check with my social secretary sitting next to me to see if we have anything planned. Babe, you got any plans for next Saturday for us?" "What?" Gently squeezing her shoulder and smiling into her eyes, Misha waited for Froo to decide what she wanted. He had realised early on that she had never had any real control over her life, first her parents and then from sixteen onward her ex had made all decisions. Misha wanted her to feel that she was an equal in their relationship; it was important to him that she felt comfortable telling him what she wanted and would never be afraid of him. "We doing anything next weekend? Did you want to go out, say to another art gallery, or museum? Or maybe something else? " "I hadn't planned anything...." "No? Well Martin, can I get back to you on that, as we may decide to do something that Froo and I can do together. You understand?" "Of course, you two have only just met, so I guess you want to spend time together. Maybe another time?" "Thanks for the invite; I may take you up on the offer later down the line." Later on as Froo stood in the kitchen helping to clear up the dirty plates, Leslie, Martins wife stood talking with her, and Naomi who was Mickey's wife and herself both stood at the sink rinsing plates before putting them in the dishwasher. "Wow Francesca, how ever did you manage to find Misha. He's very good looking, and that sexy American accent, it's almost like he's from Central Casting." Froo looked at the two women, both looking at her expectantly for an answer. "We met on a blind date." "You're kidding! A blind date. What would someone like him need to be on a blind date for?" Leslie laughed, "He must have been on it for a bet, or something like that." Froo joined in the laughter, but it was really forced. Why would Misha be on a blind date? Especially with her, that's what everyone probably thought. All the horrible self doubts came flooding back, and walking back into the lounge she looked across at him, sitting, one long leg crooked up resting on the other, leaning back, an arm slung across the back of the couch. She was sure he was going to break her heart if she gave it to him. Best not to let herself fall in love. She didn't think she could survive it this time. Taking the Risk Ch. 13 This is a slow, romantic build between two lovers who have found each other. Character based, the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. Just like real life, they find that not all runs smoothly as people interfere, but the passion between them doesn't change. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback, as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Misha sat in the bed, waiting for Froo to come out of the bathroom, where she had been for the past twenty minutes. He had enjoyed the evening meeting her friends, but had sensed that she was slightly on edge the whole evening, and he wanted to know why. Eventually he heard the bathroom door open and looked up just as she stepped in through the bedroom door, her hand reaching up to turn off the light. In the semi darkness he watched as she removed her dressing gown and saw that she had on a long white cotton nightdress. Misha's right eyebrow rose up high on his forehead, and a crooked smile broke out on his face. "If you think that is going to turn me off Froo, you don't understand the eroticism of concealment to a man!" Kneeling on the edge of the bed, about to climb in, she stopped and looked at him sitting there, the white duvet covering his lap, his torso rising up from the bed, his arms resting on his bent knees. "What do you mean?" "I mean that we are going to talk about whatever is upsetting you. Something spooked you tonight, and I would like to know what before I peel that thing you have on, off you, and have my wicked way with you." Climbing in and laying down on her back, her face staring up into the dark gloom, "I'm not upset." "Oh yes you are, and we do not go to sleep until we sort it out. I am a great believer that problems need to be solved, and you have a problem with something, and I want to know what it is." Froo lay there in silence for five minutes, Misha just sitting there waiting, quiet and patient. "When I was with Gary, we got invited everywhere, when I was without a partner they didn't want to know me, now you came along and suddenly I'm invited and your flavour of the month." "Oh so that's what it is. A little bit of resentment bubbling up." "I'm not resentful, just pissed off." "Same thing babe. Look I know it must have been hard for you this last year. Lonely and feeling let down by those you thought were your friends, but people are people. The wives may have been a little scared of a single woman if their own marriages are a bit rocky and most people like things tied up in nice easy parcels of two." "Martin was almost grovelling at your feet." "Probably trying to find someone else to go play with, just so he could get away from Leslie. She's a bit of a sarcastic cow." Froo looked up at him and laughed, "You should have heard her in the kitchen." "What did she say?" Flushing, Froo clammed up, realising that she had said too much. "Come on babe, tell me what she said." "No." Leaning over her and kissing her nose, he repeated, "Tell me what she said." "No." "If you don't tell me, I'll have to tickle it out of you. You ticklish?" and moving his body very quickly he knelt over her, his knees holding her still as he started to tickle her sides and under her arms. Squirming around, laughing, she breathlessly begged him to stop. "Not until you tell me what Leslie said." "Please stop." "No, tell me what she said." Finally unable to take any more she said, "OK, but I'm only doing this under duress." Misha stopped and laying down sideways facing her, his hand resting on her belly, his head propped up on his hand he whispered, "Tell me Froo, what was it that made you so wired up after you came out of the kitchen tonight?" Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and said, "That you only went on the blind date on a bet. Am I a bet Misha, are you slumming it with me? Are you with me out of some kind of pity for the poor single mum who can't get a date with anyone else, and even her old friends aren't that interested?" "What do you think Froo? What was last night all about?" "Sex!" Misha lay back, staring up at the ceiling himself. "Do you really believe that?" The two of them lay side by side, both hurt in their own way, the woman unsure and needing reassurance, the man angry and offended. After a while he turned his head towards her, "Is that who you think I am, a shallow, thoughtless bastard who gets his kicks by taking bets on manipulating lonely women, and fucking them just for the hell of it?" Turning on his side towards her continued, "If I wanted to just fuck someone, I wouldn't need to go on a blind date, nor my sweet little mixed up Froo would I spend the last two bloody weeks laying on my stomach every bloody night playing with their son, taking them out, laughing with them and telling them I love them." Lying back again to face the ceiling, his voice arose in male indignation. "Besides it works both ways, maybe you were just using my body for your own nefarious reasons, maybe you were just using me for sex! Men have feelings too Francesca." The silence in the room was electric, two tense bodies lying side by side. Eventually Misha sat up and as he did he saw Froo curl up in a protective move, her arms coming up to protect her face, her body curling away from him, making her body as small as possible for protection, as if he was going to hit her. Shocked he lifted a shaking hand and gently touched her shoulder, "Froo....?" Her body flinched, as if waiting for the blow to come, and Misha's heart broke, seeing the woman he loved, scared and shaking next to him. Lying down behind her, he curled his body around hers, kissing the back of her shoulders where her head leant forward, and the back of her nightdress leaving a strip of skin exposed. "Froo, I'm not going to hurt you, please relax, I don't hit women, at least not unless they're into S and M, and they want me to." Stroking her as if she was a cat, along her side, trying to reassure her, he continued, "I guess we just had our first argument, please believe me babe, I won't hurt you, I'm sorry if you thought I came across a little too strong, but I was hurt to think you thought so little of me. I love you Froo, I'm not with you out of pity, nor was it just sex last night. At least not for me." Feeling her relax a little, he scooped her towards him, settling her body spoon fashion, his body holding her in a protective hug. "Want to tell me all about it?" "No." "Sure?" "Yes." "Ok, but I am going to tell you this. We will have arguments in the future; there will be times when we both get angry with each other, for what ever reason. It does not mean I love you less, or that I will hit you. It just means we're both human, and we don't agree on something." In a quiet voice she said, "Ok." "Froo, will you let me speak to Jane, my Lawyer friend, and we can get you protected from your ex. Also, will you let me find you someone who is an expert in the field of abused women to have a chat with, I think it would help you." Then in a quieter voice, so he almost missed it, "Ok." Settling, his arms cradling her, his legs wrapped around hers, they drifted off to sleep. The first argument behind them, the fragile trust inside of Froo started to grow for the man curved comforting against her back. Taking the Risk Ch. 14 Thank you to all those who have left messages, and as I write I am taking your suggestions to heart, I hope you take Misha and Froo to yours/ This is a slow, romantic build between two lovers who have found each other. Character based, the story is about people who care and want to give pleasure to each other, in all aspects of their lives. But to love someone, you must learn to love yourself. If you like romantic stories please enjoy, and please give feedback, as the ending is not yet written! Just like in real life. * Slowly becoming awake, Misha lay on his stomach, his head pillowed on his bent arm, his body spread out across the bed, one leg thrown out to the side, alone, no sign of Froo next to him, no warm body to snuggle up to. Turning over onto his back he unconsciously scratched at his chest, trying to listen out for sounds in the apartment. Remembering last night and her reaction to him when he got a little angry worried him. If they were to have a strong and happy relationship he knew he was going to have to help her to understand that he would never hurt her if they lost their temper with each other occasionally. It was only natural that sometimes they would disagree and have words, and he didn't want to always walk on eggshells around her, the strain of trying to act unnaturally would be the kiss of death in any relationship, for both of them. He needed to build up her belief in herself. Climbing out of the bed, he padded naked out into the hall calling out for her, "Froo, where are you?" "In here." Her voice drifted down to him from the other end of the small apartment. He found her in the kitchen, the fridge door open with her standing in front, pulling out a carton of orange juice. "I got lonely in the bed without you there. How long have you been up?" Standing behind her, he reached over her shoulder, reaching for the carton of milk and holding it up to his mouth taking a long swig straight from the oblong box. Glancing over her shoulder as he tipped his head back drinking, "Not long, are you hungry, do you want some toast and juice?" "Yeah, that would be nice. But before then I want you to come with me." and putting the carton back in the fridge, he took the juice carton from her hands and put it down on the counter behind them, then closed the fridge door. "Come on baby, I want to show you something." Taking her hand he led her down the hall to the bathroom and positioning her in front of his naked body, so that she stood facing the large mirror over the sink, he told her, "I want you to look at yourself in the mirror Froo. Really look at yourself." Froo looked at the reflection of the two of them. There she was, her reflection looking back at herself, soft brown hair around her face, her body encased in the plain white cotton shapeless nightdress. Her face devoid of make up, framed against Misha's wide strong chest, his handsome face above hers. Starting to turn around, she felt him hold her still, his hands on her shoulders. "No, stay there and really look at yourself." "Why. I hate looking at my self. I know what I look like." "No you don't. You think you do, but you don't. The tape in your head is playing back the wrong picture, and you're listening and believing. What I want you to do is see yourself as I see you, as you really are. I want you to see us in the mirror, see me as I really am, and not as some image that you have." Trying to move, she felt his hands tighten." Stand still Froo and really look. Tell me what you see." Looking in the mirror, a pained expression on her face she looked at herself, "I see an overweight, boring thirty year old mum. I see a pushy tall and very good looking naked man standing behind her." "Shall I tell you what I see? I see a lovely person, a caring mother of a little boy, a sexy woman with a beautiful face, skin soft and clear, and stunning deep green eyes framed by long lashes. A sweet mouth that when it smiles melts my heart, and lights up a lovely face. I see a woman who is fun to be with, interesting and intelligent," Misha continued, "I see a feminine body, soft and inviting, a woman not a girl. Lovely full breasts, a round inviting soft tummy, shapely legs, generous hips that when you walk move in the most sensual way, causing your bottom to roll and call to me, giving me erotic thoughts. I see a woman that has triumphed over a bad marriage, a woman that is careful and kind, sweet and sexy, and Froo my love, I see a woman who has never appreciated herself, or loved herself, and in life, you can never really love someone else fully, or believe they could love you until you love yourself." Froo stood there, tears starting to pool in her eyes, as she continued to listen to the quiet voice behind her as he told her, "The image you hold of me Froo is not real, it's just an image. When I look in the mirror what I see is a man who is kind, patient, a good friend to others. I see a man who likes himself, likes how he looks, and likes what he is doing with his life. I see someone who is strong, but knows when to hold back, is easy going, laid back but knows what he wants and isn't frightened to go for it. I see a person who is not perfect, but can admit it without it bending himself out of shape, and knows there is room for improvement, but hell, I ain't going to let it dominate my life Froo, I'm just going to try to do my best, which is all I can do. I am someone who can lose my rag, but I'm human, I make mistakes, and so do you sometimes, but that is human to. The trick is to forgive yourself when you do, and move on." Kissing the top of her head and folding his arms across her front, he pulled her back against his chest, "I see a couple, a man and a woman. People who can enjoy each other, have fun, explore and experience life together, care about each other and support each other when things get difficult. Now tell me again what you see?" Shaking her head, the tears running down her face, she was unable to speak for the emotion in her throat. Misha lifted up a hand and tucking her hair behind one ear bent down and kissed it. Slowly he lifted up the nightdress, raising it up so that it uncovered first her knees, and then her thighs. Watching her face looking back at him in the mirror, he kept on revealing more of her body, her soft thatch of light brown curls at the apex of her thighs, then the swell of her belly, and all the time he watched her eyes in the mirror, the tears hanging there on the edge of her lashes, wide and green, like small bright emeralds that had been washed in the rain. Breathing slowly, her heart beating Froo stared at the reflection in front of her, Misha's blue eyes warm and sensual as he carried on lifting the white material, moving it over her navel, to under her breasts, and then she heard him whisper, "Lift up your arms babe, stretch out like a cat for me, look at yourself and really see yourself as I see you." Froo lifted up her arms, as the cotton continued its journey up, higher and higher over her face and up her arms, until the fabric no longer touched her body. Closing her eyes, she stayed stretched out, Misha's hands gently stroking her skin with his fingertips, "So soft, like silk." he crooned in her ear, "and so pale against my darker skin. I love the contrast, and I love the little mole you have on the underside of your left breast." and his fingers stroked the breast, swirling around the tiny small mark, "I love your sexy nipples, they stand out at me, hard and firm, and when we made love the other night I could feel them rubbing against me, so erotically." She sighed as he ran the back of his fingers across her nipples, once, twice soft as a feathers touch. Leaning back against him, arms raised, eyes still closed, she listened as he talked to her, her mind absorbing the compliments and the sensations on her body, making her feel warm and wanton. She felt his fingers wander down to her tummy. "I love your navel, it dips in like a little love hole, surrounded by soft silken skin, a place to rest my head, like a little pillow, just made for me." and then his fingers reached her mound, "Mmm, Froo, some men love their woman to shave themselves down there, but I don't. I love your silky curls, it shows you're a real woman, and it points down to heaven for me." As he was talking she felt his hand slide down between her thighs, his middle finger slipping between the folds to gently rub her hard nub, back and forth, sliding across the sensitive bud, the heat starting to build inside her groin, the flutter in her belly, the pulse growing stronger as he lightly touched her. "Open your eyes baby and watch, see yourself in the mirror, so sexy, so beautiful, so erotic." Fluttering at first, her eyes opened and looked at the man and the woman in the mirror. She hardly recognised herself, arms high above her head, her breasts raised up and thrust forward, nipples hard and pointed. Her eyes glittered, not just with tears now, but with excitement, her mouth slightly open, her breaths shallow, her cheeks flushed, she looked wanton and desirable, and behind her the man, looking at her with a sensual caress in his eyes, one dark golden arm pointing down across her body, his hand tucked between her thighs, the other holding her in place around her waist, giving support. "What do you see now Froo, tell me what you see?" "Someone who's being loved." "Yeah baby, someone who is worth being loved." and his nail scrapped faster across the now engorged clitoris, making her melt as the sensations started to assault her. Watching in the mirror she stared fascinated as he worked her, his finger bringing her higher and higher, the sight so erotic, so fascinating, she couldn't take her eyes away, until she came, her eyes then closing in pleasure, her arms dropping down to cover his as they showed her just what a little bit of heaven is really like. Taking the Risk Ch. 15 This is a story of a relationship, with all its many layers, sex, love, trust, getting to know each other and getting the support from each other when you really need it. No relationship happens without its ups and downs, and Misha and Froo's is just the same. I hope you enjoy this slow and steady unfolding of their love. Please send me feedback as with real life, the end is not yet written, and I have incorporated some people's suggestions and feedback as I write. * Laughing as she watched him under the shower, the water raining down onto his upturned face, shaking his head so that the water flew off his soaking hair, hitting her in the face. "Stop it Misha, we have to get going or we'll be late getting into town and meeting the others." "Baby, they won't care. They're used to it, I'm always late. It's my fatal flaw." "Oh God, I'm always early for everything." Misha grabbed her and pulled her under the falling water, "See another thing we have different, at this rate we should have plenty of stuff to argue with each other about." Pushing against his chest, trying to get her hair out from getting wet, "Come on, we have to go, or they will have finished eating and there won't be anything left for us." Quickly turning off the water and grabbing a towel, he stepped out of the shower and did a little run out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, "Get a move on woman, if there's food on the line, I'm outta here." Froo watched the naked back as it left the bathroom, now with three parallel red lines where her nails had scratched him as he thrust into her against the wall earlier, her legs around his hips, his large hands gripping her buttocks holding her up. Bliss, it was utter bliss. To feel him as he slide deep inside her, filling her up, making her feel the hard slick movements against the smooth inner walls of her tight moist hole. She could feel the muscles of his back and shoulders under her hands as they had moved and strained, as he held her and thrust and churned his hips, trying to delve deeper and deeper, until he exploded inside of her, his cum pumping, as his mouth mirrored his movements, his tongue plunging into her mouth in unison with his frantic movements" Raw sex. There was nothing like it, Misha thought as he pulled on his jeans, grabbed his trainers and socks, and sat down on the edge of the bed to pull them on. Quickie's against the wall, deep and primal. Especially after watching Froo in the mirror as she came, and seeing her inner beauty blossom during the session in front of the mirror. Glancing up as she walked into the room, he smiled at her, and the smile he received back was just so perfect. A woman's smile that knew she had pleased her man. * Stuart had just told her a very filthy joke, his big brown eyes twinkling at her, his arm around the back of her chair as they sat with the others at the big round table in the Chinese Restaurant. There had been so much food that Froo felt like she was going to burst. She looked to her left and saw that Misha was still picking sizzling prawns from the silver dish sitting on the little heating tray, and popping them straight into his mouth. "Heard the one about why men want to die before their wives?" Froo looked back at Stuart and shook her head. "Because they can!" Misha laughed along with the others around the table at Stuarts joke, and Froo smiled up at him, a little tingle in her chest. He had a little of the sauce still at the corner of his mouth, and she picked up the napkin, reached up and wiped it away as he looked down at her, a look of intimacy passing between them. Robin and John gave each other a look, one that said much between the two old friends. Mouthing silently at John, "How the mighty have fallen!" "Yeah," he mouthed back. * Later, standing tense in front of the brown door, waiting for it to open, Froo held on to Misha's hand. They could hear movement behind the door as they waited for it to open, and collect Jace. When it did, out rushed her son, chattering and showing her the picture he had painted whilst at his fathers for the weekend. Bending over to see, she missed the scene being played out by the two men standing facing each other, testosterones firing, as they stared off at each other, hard eyes summing each other up. "Better keep lover boy on his leash Chesca." Her ex husband snarled, "I'd hate to mark that pretty boy face of his." Froo stood up, and looked from man to man, her ex, hands on hips, that look she recognised so well on his face, eyes glinting with malice at Misha. Whilst Misha stood, fists clenched at his waist, the muscle in his jaw twitching, pure tension running through his body. Placing her hand on his arm, she felt his tight muscles, and quietly pleaded to them both, "Not in front of Jace, please. Misha lets go." Snarling with a sarcastic tone, Gary said without taking his eyes from the tall man in front of him, "Do what the little woman say's pretty boy, toddle off." Taking a step forward, Misha felt Froo pull on his arm, "Misha please, not in front of Jace. Please can we go?" Standing in silence, the three adults stood, the tension building until Misha, dragging his eyes down to Froo's as she stood looking up at him, and then to the small child, watching the adults with fascination, he stepped back. Very quietly, almost a whisper he hissed at Gary, "You ever so much as upset Froo, touch her or make her cry ever again, you'll answer to me." "Yeah, think you'll win if it comes to it." An evil smile came over Misha's face, one that Froo had never seen before, "You can count on it." and turning on his heel, he pulled Froo behind him, away from the confrontation. * Later that night, back home in his own apartment, Misha sat on the leather couch staring into space, a glass of whisky in his hand. After they had picked up Jace, and returned to her place, he had calmed down and played with the little boy until time to put him to bed. Then sitting cuddled up on her sofa, watching the television, some programme about the goings on in Norfolk with Stephen Fry as a jovial Lawyer, she asked, "What was that about earlier?" "Men marking out their territory babe." "Is that what I am? Territory." "Yeah, a beautiful and not completely chartered territory." Laughing Froo punched his arm, "And tonight I'm afraid it is still going to stay a little uncharted, you are going to have to go home tonight Misha." "Why?" "Jace, I'm not sure he's ready to see us together in bed." Turning towards her, he nodded, "OK, but he will have to eventually." "Let's just play it by ear and see. I have to do what's best for Jace." So Misha had left, driven back home to Guildford, and now sat missing her, and wishing he was back, wrapped around her soft body, lying together under her duvet, with her individual scent teasing at his nose. * Sitting back in his chair at his desk the next morning, Misha sat, shirt sleeves rolled back, tie loosened around his neck, the phone to his ear, talking to his Lawyer friend Jane. "Jane, if you could make an appointment to see us, say Wednesday, I would be very appreciative." "Of course Mikhail, do you know if she has any Police Reports or any hospital visits to document the abuse?" "Um no. Not sure. I get the feeling it's not the kind of thing Froo would have done. Not reporting it to the Police, does that make a difference to getting a court order?" "No, but it would have made a stronger case. We can get her to make an Affidavit to stop him going near her home, and an attachment of earnings to make sure he pays the maintenance for her son." "Good. By the way do you have any contacts with anyone that could have a chat with her regarding abused woman, and give her some counselling." "Yes, when you both come for the meeting on Wednesday I'll give you the contacts. You seem very involved with her Mikhail?" "Jane, this is the one." "Misha, no! Really? Well that's great." "Please don't say anything Jane to her, but as a really good friend, I really need your help to make sure she's safe." "Of course Darling, no problem. Just bring her over and I'll start setting things up." Putting down the phone, he got up and left his office and walked into the main reception area, to watch as the equipment that was being loaded up for the new video shoot this week. The video was to be used at a client's conference later in the year, and was being piled up ready to be loaded in the van and taken to the site of the shoot. Bill, his lighting man, looked up from where he knelt, a big silver case open, checking the contents. "Hi boss, you coming up this week to the shoot?" "Yeah, tomorrow I'll be there for the day, but won't stay around on this one. How's the loading going? We got any problems?" "Nope. Charlie say's the Triple heads came back from the Prima Boxes job that he wanted on back up lighting. So we're packing them as well for the smaller office one on one interviews if needed." "Good, give me a shout once the van comes round and I'll help load up." and going back to his office picked up the phone to call a customer, and make an appointment for lunch and do a little existing customer smoozing." * Froo sat on the phone at the same time that Misha was on the phone to his customer, speaking to her mother. "Yes mum, I know I haven't been over for supper for a couple of weeks, but I have been a bit busy." Listening to her mothers reply, she knew she would have to take the plunge and explain. "Well I've been out with Misha every night, the man that Lorraine set up on the blind date for me and you babysat Jace that night." Holding the phone slightly away from her ear as her mothers excited voice came down the line, she heard her telling her to bring him with for supper tonight, and not to say no. Putting down the phone, she sat back unsure. Gary hated going over to her parents, and always made a fuss. Not sure if Misha would do the same, she sat for a while getting the courage up to phone him and explain that he was invited tonight to her parents for supper. Finally taking her courage in her hand, she picked up the phone and dialled his mobile number, holding her breath whilst listening to it ring. "Hi babe, how's it going?" "Um, fine. I'm getting some revision done ready for going back to college next week." "Great, I'll be over to your place around seven tonight, want to go out and get something, maybe at the burger place with Jace?" "Um, Misha, that's what I'm phoning you about..." Misha suddenly got a hard ball in the pit of his stomach, was she about to give him the brush off. This last weekend had been fairly intense, but he thought they had settled into some kind of understanding and relationship. But had he been too pushy and fast for her, scaring her off?" "What Froo, what's wrong?" "Misha, I'll understand if you say no, because you don't have to say yes. It's just that I have to go, and if you don't want to, you don't have to." "Have to do what Froo. What is it I don't have to do if I don't want to?" "Go tonight to my parents for supper. Mum phoned me and asked me round tonight, and she has asked me to ask you to come, and I'll understand if you say no. You don't have to if you don't want to..." "Yes Froo, I'll come. It will be a pleasure to meet your parents." "You don't have to if you don't want to." "Froo I said I'll come. It's OK." "You're sure?" "Yes, I'm sure. I'll pick you and Jace up at around seven. See you then babe." and putting down the phone both people sat back, relieved and pleased. The woman that he had agreed to come to meet her parents without a fuss, and the man relieved that she had just taken a big step forward with him, without realising what she had done. Taking the Risk Ch. 16 This is a story of a relationship, with all its many layers, sex, love, trust, getting to know each other and getting the support from each other when you really need it. No relationship happens without its ups and downs, and Misha and Froo's is just the same. I hope you enjoy this slow and steady unfolding of their love. Please send me feedback as with real life, the end is not yet written, and I have incorporated some people's suggestions and feedback as I write. * "Froo, you don't need to have any of the potatoes, you still need to lose those few extra pounds." Misha sat at the table, surrounded by Froo's family, her sister Lorraine on one side of him, her mother to his left. He sat there, burning up with anger at the cavalier way her mother had just spoken to Froo in front of everyone, but was far too polite to say anything. Watching as Froo stopped taking any potatoes from the serving dish, Misha smiled across at her, catching her eye and winking. A look passed between them, and he knew that she understood what he was trying to say with that look. That he thought her body perfect, that yesterday in front of the mirror he had told her he loved her body, and not to be ashamed of herself. That the choice was hers. "Actually mum, I think I will have some." and taking a couple and putting them on her plate along with the slices of roast lamb, she gave a sweet smile across to Misha that said, see I'm not ashamed, I will have if I want. The lesson learnt. Froo's dad continued with his questions to Misha, "So you say your mother lives over here, and that you've been living in the UK for about four years. When are you thinking of going back to the States? Francesca says you have a big family over there." "I'm pretty well settled here in London now. My business is building nicely, my friends are here, and I don't see moving back in the near future." Looking down the table to her father, eating at the opposite end next to Bryan he continued, "Of course I never rule anything out of my life, but as I see it, the UK is where I am and I intend to be here for as long as I want." Grunting her father then asked, "Don't you miss your family?" "Yes Mr Anstell, but I can always go back for visits; in fact I was over with them at Christmas." Butting in, her mother said pointedly at Froo, "It's a long way away, Los Angeles; I would think your family miss you not being there? I know I would miss Lorraine and Francesca if they lived very far from me." Misha heard the implied threat in her statement, and bit his tongue. They were setting down limits for Froo. He now could see where she had learnt to have a lack of confidence in herself and her decisions, taught not to take risks in life, and to do as others told her. Deciding to change the focus he turned to his right and asked Lorraine, "So how's Pete and Sarah, I haven't spoken to them since the dinner party, I meant to phone up and thank them and you for introducing me to Froo." "They're fine, and no thanks needed." Laughing she continued, "It was obvious to all of us how you felt the moment you walked into the room and saw Francesca. Mum you should have seen his face; it was as if he had been hit on the head with a sledgehammer. Priceless." "Yes? Well that's nice." "Yeah," Misha murmured, "more than nice." Watching Froo blush as she smiled, he noted it was sweetly embarrassed smile. * Standing in the door way, his arms bent up high, leaning up on the door frame above him, Misha watched as Froo put the sleepy little boy into his bed. He had grown very fond of the little boy, enjoying playing with him every night, getting to know him, seeing a lot of Froo in his playful nature, his gentle way, and his eagerness to please. "Playing with his cousins knocked him out." Froo looked over her shoulder at Misha, standing leaning forward, his arms raised up bent holding on to the wooden frame above him, his white shirt stretched, and his light blue tie askew. "He'll sleep late tomorrow morning." "Is that an invitation babe?" "Yes, it's an invitation Mikhail." Misha felt a warmth tingle across his body, she had used his given name for the first time, and he loved it. He loved the way she said his name, in that quiet small sexy voice. "Say that again." "It's an invitation." "No, my name!" "Mikhail." "From you it sounds so sexy," Froo turned back to her son, laying on the bed, his arms raised up on the pillow by his sleeping head, and bending over gave him a gentle kiss before standing up and turning to her lover, holding out her hand, and saying in a very calm and clear voice, "Take me to bed Mikhail, I want to feel you make my body fly." Taking her hand in his he whispered back, "My pleasure babe, follow me." * Kneeling facing him, sitting astride his thighs with hers apart, his hard penis deep inside of her, she leant back, her body arched, her breasts thrust up towards his mouth as he sucked and licked them with his tongue. The fullness of him as he stretched her tight hole, and the position of their bodies made her feel totally possessed, the tip of his cock pressed deep inside her against the base of her womb, her clitoris throbbing where he had nibbled and rubbed earlier during foreplay, causing her body to writhe until she could take no more begging him to fill her up. Misha held her arched back in his strong hands holding her in position for his mouth, feeling the sheen of perspiration that covered her. He sucked on the hard pebbled nipple in his mouth, tasting the slightly salty taste of her skin. Moving his face to the other breast, he felt her jerk as he nipped it before sucking it deep into his mouth, his tongue swirling over the hard tip, Her moans were music to his ears, and his hips started to gyrate, and rock. Feeling her hands move from where they had been grabbing at his shoulders and up his neck to entwine in his hair, he felt her tug his face closer to her. Then he felt her start to move her hips to match his slow steady rhythm, thrusting down as he thrust up. Lifting up his head he kissed the base of her throat, then along her shoulder, before nipping her there. "Like it baby? Is it good?" "Oh yes, it's so good." Sliding one hand up her back to raise her up straight, he took her mouth in a deep passionate kiss, and as it ended his mouth sucked at her bottom lip in an erotic dance matching his thrusts below, . "That's it baby take what you want, move your hips and take what you want." he crooned in deep hoarse voice, the feel of her muscles as she moved pulling at his cock, the musky scent of her sexual arousal rising up at him. Spreading his thighs wider, causing her to spread hers as well, he moved a hand down between her thighs and with his thumb rubbed on the exposed hard nub between the spread open folds, wet and exposed he worked it as they both moved, his cock sliding in and out of her, slow and deep. "There, just there." She gasped as she felt him rub against her G spot, "YESSSS "Say my name." "Mikhail." "Say it again he growled, as his body started to pump faster and harder, causing her to rise up slightly, allowing a deeper thrust." "Mikhaillllllll. Oh YESSSSSSS." * Misha felt the bouncing on the bed as he lay there on his back, his eyes still closed, half awake. "Mummy, what is Misha doing in bed with you?" Both adults' eyes flew open, looking up at the little boy, now climbing between them, his curious eyes staring down at the sprawled body of the sleepy man. "Are you like my daddy?" Misha cleared his throat and looked sideways at Froo, a plea for help in his drowsy eyes. "Jace, what are you doing out of bed?" his mother asked softly. "I wanted to go to the toilet. Are you now like Diane and Daddy? Am I supposed to knock before I come in like at Daddy's? He gets angry if I jump on the bed too early. Can I come into bed with you?" The little boy wiggled his small body under the duvet and between the two lovers, one small foot kicking Misha in the ribs as he moved down into the small space between them. Flopping over on his back, and turning his head towards the stunned man lying dumbfounded staring across him to his mother. "Your hair is standing up on end! It looks funny." Froo looked across Misha to the bedside clock radio on his side of the bed. Six thirty. Glancing down at her son, who seemed to have found nothing odd about the situation, and then across at Misha, as he lay there, a look of absolute shock on his face, his cheeks a slight red, she started to giggle. He was blushing. Actually blushing. This tall, sexy and very laid back man was embarrassed and not sure how to deal with this situation. Misha turned onto his side, resting his head on his crooked arm, he defensively growled, "What's so funny?" "Yes mummy what's so funny?" Shaking her head and starting to giggle even more, she gasped for breath. "You're a fraud Mikhail, a great big fraud. You're not as confident as you like to make out. Something's can make you blush, and you're unsure how to handle them." and then she got into a real laughing jag unable to stop, with the two males just staring at the woman laying next to them, the tears running down her face, as she realised that there was still a little boy hiding inside of the very sexy and masculine body. * Standing in the lounge, putting on his jacket over his crumpled shirt, Misha told Froo, "After work tonight I'm going to come by, pick you and Jace up and take you both down to my place. I need to get a change of clothes, shave and pack up a bag of stuff to bring here for when I stay over in the future. Pack some stuff you both need to stay at my place. We'll go to see Jane at her office together on Wednesday as it's just down the road in Guildford and we can take Jace with. Jane's secretary Mary can look after him while we're seeing her." Froo stood there as he folded up his light blue tie and stuffed it in his jacket pocket. "I have to go up to the video shoot today and see how it's going. It's in Milton Keynes and I'll come straight back here after, say about eight, we can grab something on the way down to Guildford." She stood listening to him; feeling like a whirlwind had just swept her up and was dragging her along. "Misha, I don't know.... I'm not really sure about this Legal thing." "You don't have to do anything Froo, just listen to what Jane says, and then make up your mind. The final decision on anything you do is always yours. But get the facts and then decide. OK?" "OK." "See you tonight babe, love you." Bending down he kissed her and then was gone, through the door, leaving her feeling as if her life was on a runaway train. Taking the Risk Ch. 17 This is a character driven story, of two lovers, Misha and Froo. But in life, no relationship is in isolation and theirs is no different. I have incorporated some of your suggestions into the story and would like to thank those of you who have sent messages saying they are enjoying the story so far, and have commented in which direction they would like the story to go. This chapter is for you guys, and you all know who you are. Please send feedback, and like in life, you never know what is round the corner! * The sleek black sports car sped up the Motorway, the fields of Bedfordshire each side covered in a light sprinkling of snow. On the radio Springsteen pounded out, singing a song of urban America, whilst Misha's fingers drummed out the beat on the wheel under his hand. His mind was on Francesca, and the fact that each time he had told her he loved her, she had never replied back, never said how she felt, never told him that she cared for him in any way. It had all happened so fast, he knew it was something that had hit him at first glance, love at first sight, and that for her it wasn't. But he had no real idea how she did feel, and it hurt him, needing to have some verbal confirmation of her feelings, needing to hear the words. He could see in her eyes that she cared for him, but to what level? When they made love, he could see deep passion in her eyes, when he was with her during difficult situations he was beginning to see the trust in her eyes, and when they were out, socialising with each other, or with others, he could see the pleasure of sharing moments of fun together. But not love, not what he wanted, and needed. Putting down his foot on the gas, the car sped up, overtaking the other vehicles moving slower in the inside lane, getting closer to the junction where he would turn off for Milton Keynes, and the video shoot. Clearing his mind of his private musings, he started to concentrate on the job at hand and the client they were doing the shoot for, sorting out in his mind any problems that might arise and how he could solve them in advance. * Froo sat on the floor, Jace in front of her, running a small toy car into the brightly coloured miniature plastic garage, and making little noises that simulated the noise of an engine. Smiling at the memory of how her son so easily accepted finding her and Misha in bed together that morning, and the look on Misha's face when he had to deal with it made her happy. After he had left for work, she had sat eating some toast and thinking about what had happened in her life over the past three weeks, and how the sexy charismatic man had seemed to infiltrate it, becoming such a focus and turning her quiet life upside down. Just thinking about the wonderful sex made her tummy flutter. He made her feel so special, her body alive, vibrating with feelings she had never felt before. His gentleness with her and his sense of fun made her feel relaxed, happy, safe and protected. She remembered how he had stood in front of the bathroom mirror, stroking her body and telling her how beautiful she was to him, and how just a little look from him at her parents had made her feel stronger, able to stand up for herself against the small barbs from her mother. There was a side to him that was a little overpowering, organising this meeting so fast with the Lawyer and now telling her she was staying down at his place tonight. Was she falling into another relationship with a man who would take over her life, believing he knew what was right for her? Not having been divorced that long, and having very little experience, she was worried that life was going to repeat itself. After all Misha was only the second boyfriend she had ever had, and she had married her first, and look what a disaster that had turned out to be. It had only been three weeks. Maybe he would tire of her soon? Move on. He was so good looking, he could have anyone. Why was he spending his time with her and her son? Best to just enjoy the moment while she could, enjoy it whilst it lasted. Until he found someone else maybe. Someone who was really more his style. Someone without all the added complications such as an abusive ex husband and a young child in tow. * Froo's mum listened to the voice in her ear, the plastic handset held against her head buzzing with advice from Angela, her best friend. "I agree, he says that he's living here now, but what about in the future, what if he decides to go back to America and takes Francesca and Jace with him, when will you get to see your grandson? Once a year if she comes over here for holidays, if you're lucky!" "I know, and you know what she's like. She'll end up doing whatever the man says. Doesn't ever listen to me. I told her years ago when she first met Gary that she should wait, not rush into relationships, and now she's doing it again, and with an American of all things." "You said he was very good looking." "Yes, I've no idea what he sees in Francesca, it's not as if she's the most gorgeous woman he could find. I know she's pretty in a gentle kind of way, not like Lorraine, classy and slim, but sweetly appealing in an average sort of way. Maybe he'll get fed up with her having a child around all the time?" "Maybe." "Well I'll just have to hope he does get fed up, or I might just lose seeing her and Jace, and it would kill me if she moved away." "Pamela, wouldn't Gary have a say in his son moving to another country, I'm sure he'll put his foot down." "If push comes to shove, he would. Maybe that's the answer, if I remind her that Gary is the father and wouldn't want his son to live over there in another country, half the world away. That she should keep that in mind, if she continues with this man." "I'm sure if you put it like that she'll reconsider." * Diane stood arms crossed over her chest, a look of petulance across her pretty face. "Just one weekend without the kid Gary, that's all I ask. One weekend to ourselves without your son hanging off you." "Sugar, I know you want to go away by ourselves, but he's my son, he's part of me. Either take both of us or none at all. It's non negotiable." "Look Gary, I'm not saying no to every weekend, just this one weekend alone. You and I. We could go on the ferry across to Amsterdam, make it a long weekend, have some real fun, and you could see your kid during the week to make up not seeing him this weekend. How about it? Sounds good?" Slipping her arms around his neck, and rubbing her body up against his, she whispered to him, "I hear they have all types of fun things to do in Amsterdam, things you would really like, away from small prying eyes. Things I would like to do to you, and you to do to me." Gary slipped his arms around the blond woman's waist, pulling her tighter against his groin. "We might even get some new ideas, smoke a little weed, chill out, get pissed, behave badly. Very, very, very badly. What do you say. A dirty weekend in Amsterdam, just three little days alone. No work, no distractions, just you and me and lots of sex." A hot flush was rising up the man, erotic pictures filled his mind, and she knew she had him as she wiggled her hips against his, feeling the hard erection behind his trousers, and the interest she could see now lit behind his dark brown eyes. "Just this one weekend Diane. This one time." "Mmmmn just keep in mind Gary what I'm going to do to you when I get you alone over there." "And what's that Sugar?" Rising up on her toes, and placing her mouth by his ear she proceeded to tell him, in very explicit detail. * Misha took the ringing mobile out of his pocket, and saw it was a call from Froo. Walking away from the area that was being set up and lit ready for the shoot, where the two members of staff to be filmed nervously rehearsed their lines about how great their company was to work for, and how they enjoyed their jobs, he found a more private spot to talk. "Hi babe, what's up?" "Misha, I'm so sorry to call you when you're busy, I hope I haven't interrupted anything?" "No problem, we're just setting up a shot, very boring and long winded, what's wrong, I can tell there's something by your voice." "Gary called. He wants Jace tonight as he's going away for the weekend, and can't have him then. I'm sorry if it mucks up your plans but I won't be here for you to pick up on time, and I will have to pick him up early tomorrow morning." "No problem, what time does he want you to drop him off?" "About seven." "Phone him back and tell him we will drop him off at about eight, I'll make sure I get over to you earlier than I planned, and we'll drop him off before going down to Guildford. Tomorrow we can pick him up real early, say eight thirty and still get back down for the appointment." "He won't like it if I tell him that." "Tough. He's the one that is making the change of plans at the last minute; he'll have to wait for us to do the drop. I don't want you to do it alone, nor for him to come over to pick Jace up when you're by yourself." "What if he insists?" "Froo, you have an entry phone system, just don't let him up. Tell him it's our way or no way. I know you can do it. If he shouts down the phone at you put the phone down. Take control, start to teach him that he has to work with you and not order you about." "He'll be furious." "Not as furious as I'll be if he upsets you in anyway. Call me back if you have any trouble, and Froo, you can do it. Your strong, you're in control and you have the power." Froo sat there, the line now dead, dreading making the call to Gary, but knowing she must. Misha was right. For so long she had let him take control, run when ever he told her to, tried to placate him, and it hadn't worked. Now she was going to show Gary that he would have to compromise, deal with a new Froo, she was going to get back some control into her life. Reaching for the phone, she mentally rehearsed what she was going to say, butterflies in her tummy, but determined that she was going to be strong and get her way. Taking the Risk Ch. 18 As her self respect grows, so does her strength as a woman. Learning to take risks allows you to feel, change, grow, love and live. Only a person who risks is free. My thanks to Leo F Buscaglia for the inspiration for this story from his affirmation 'Risks' I love getting your feedback and suggestions, and for those who have been so kind to give them, I write for you. * Froo was almost dancing with delight in front of him, her tangible excitement at her small victory making him glow with pride. "I told him, we drop Jace at eight, and when he started to shout at me I told him it's that or nothing and put the phone down." Smiling at the memory of the call, "You should have heard him when he rang back straight away. Called me a cow, and a bitch, and then I told him if he didn't stop shouting at me I would put the phone down and wouldn't pick it up again to talk with him." Laughing she told Misha, "He told me I was a stupid cow, and he would come over and get Jace at seven. I told him I wouldn't be here. A bit of a lie. But he said where would I be, and I told him with you, and that we would be over at eight with Jace, and that was it or he wouldn't see Jace tonight, and he just slammed down the phone." Misha stroked back her hair behind one ear, "That's my girl, offence is the best defence." "It was so great. I was shaking. But I did it. I stood up to him, and he backed down, and even him calling me a cow and a bitch didn't upset me." "Yeah well I don't like him calling you filthy names babe, that is something we are going to have to make him understand, bad mouthing you is no longer allowed." "Misha, I did it, I told him what I was going to do, and he had to accept it." Wrapping her arms around his body she hugged him, saying, "Thank you." Misha held her close, kissing the top of her head, "No thanks needed, you did it yourself, you made the call." "But you gave me the strength. I wouldn't have done it if not for you." That is how Jace found them, wrapped around each other hugging, both enjoying the small victory, the woman pleased with herself for standing up for the first time to her ex, and the man happy for her that she had taken a big step forward in getting back her confidence and self respect. "Mummy, can we go now to Daddy's, I want to show him my new drawing." "Yes sweetie, go get your coat, we're going now." * Gary was pacing back and forward, his agitation growing by the second, each time he looked at the watch on his wrist his temper grew. It was ten to eight, and the little cow wasn't here yet with his son. When she arrived, he was going to teach the cow a lesson. Diane sat quietly on the chair, the bruise on her arm where he had grabbed and shook her hard starting to form, her eyes wide, watching the angry man pace back and forth, trying hard not to be noticed. Suddenly the ringing of the door bell broke his angry musings, and striding to it he pulled it open, a snarl on his face, ready to give her a piece of his mind, only to find the boyfriend standing there, his son standing holding on to his hand, the mans eyes boring into his. "Where's Francesca? Where's my wife?" "She's in the car, you're dealing with me, and she's not your wife." "The cow too scared to meet me face to face?" Kneeling down Misha told Jace to go inside and take his coat off, and then straightening up, his face taking on a hard vicious look, and stepping forward to invade the other mans space, snarled, "You so much as hurt her, call her names or doing anything that upsets her from now on and I'll fucking rip your balls off and ram them down your fucking throat. Do I make myself clear? I protect what's mine, and you don't want to find out just how fucking mad I can get. We'll be here at eight thirty tomorrow morning, have the kid ready, and don't try anything, because the consequences will be a lot worse for you, believe me." Stepping back, Misha gave one last withering look before turning round and walking calmly back to the car and Froo. * Sitting in the small Italian restaurant that they had stopped off at on the way to Guildford, Froo watched as Misha ate his pasta, drops of the Marinara sauce on his lip, wishing she could lean across the table and erotically lick it off. She was still on a real high, her body singing with adrenalin, and pleasure, and sitting in front of her was the most gorgeous man she had ever met, and he was hers. Looking around at the other couples in the small restaurant, she couldn't see any other man as handsome as Misha, and preening with pride, she turned back to look at him, a smile on her face. "What's that smile for babe? You look like the cat that got the cream." "I am that cat. I got you." Misha sat back in his chair, a flush of pleasure running through him. That was the closest to an admittance of how she felt that she had given him. "You're the best looking man in here, and you're with me." Suddenly the pleasure drained out of him, "Froo." Sighing to himself, he just shook his head, sadly acknowledging that maybe for her it was all so different, the feelings he had, and maybe she just didn't feel them for him. "You've got some sauce on your lips." Licking his lips, he watched her as she followed his tongue wiping off any recalcitrant sauce, and saw the passion in her eyes. "I think I've created a monster, by the look in your eyes, when we get back to my place it looks like I'm going to be dessert this time." Laughing she told him, "You had better eat up everything to build up some strength then." and topped up his glass of wine, a twinkle in her eye that reignited his good mood. * Sitting in the middle of the bed, his legs spread and slightly bent, his arms resting out behind him, his head leaning back, eyes closed, Misha felt Froo's teeth graze against his nipple. Little shivers ran down his spine, as she raked her nails over the other one at the same time, making his chest swell, his back arch and his breathe catch. For the last twenty five minutes, she had been slowly driving him insane, exploring his body with her mouth, her hands and her eyes. Kissing his back, her small tongue had licked a line down his spine, stopping off to gently kiss his scars there, the tips of her fingers lightly stroking his skin. Her teeth had then nibbled on his shoulder, before she had kissed him behind his ear and his neck, moving down and biting at the sensitive skin under his armpit, down his ribs and then trailing a row of kisses down and across to his belly, and finally to his thighs. When she had started on his leg, the ugly scar running from mid thigh down to his ankle, where the metal bolts that had held his leg in traction had left dark indented scars, she had trailed a line of gentle kisses, telling him that if she had known him back then, she would have kissed him better to take away the pain, so she was doing so now. Misha had just sat there, unable to speak, raw emotion filling him up. His love for her growing deeper and more pronounced as he watched her head move down his leg, slowly, as she kissed along the scar, her silky hair stroking his skin as she moved, her body bending over, her lovely bottom poking up in the air, facing away from him. Now she was caressing his chest, his pectoral muscles jumping with each little bite and touch, his stomach muscles pulling tight, as his manhood stood erect, begging for attention, between his thighs. The woman was going to drive him mad soon, but still he sat, waiting breathlessly for her to touch him there, as he followed her journey around his body, his full attention on the sensations she was causing him. Froo felt like it was Christmas and she had been given a toy to play with. A beautiful, perfect toy. His torso was long and slim, with well defined muscles, shoulders wide, his collar bones defined with dips that called to her to kiss and lick. His neck was strong, his Adams apple sitting part way down, below sat another small hollow, glistening with perspiration, his golden skin warm and inviting as she nibbled and kissed and licked her way down to the tiny buds that sat on each side of his chest. She could hear him moan and sigh, and each time he did it was like music to her ears, deep and sweet and magical. She felt her power as a woman increase, her confidence build with every noise of pleasure he made, as she worshipped him, her lover, her protector, her friend. Taking the Risk Ch. 19 Pulling together and supporting each other allows us to make the ties that bind. Misha and Froo are dealing with her problems and without realising it becoming a family unit. This is a romantic story about two people who are falling in love, I have incorporated some of the suggestions that people who have been so kind as to send feedback into the story and have made. I hope you enjoy. * Froo stood very early the next morning watching as Misha sat on the machine, pulling against the weights, causing the bulges under the skin on his arms and shoulders to glide and stretch. Her lush curvy body wrapped up in his shirt and nothing else, her hair tousled and no make up she looked like everyman's fantasy, and as Misha went through his early morning routine, he was getting distracted. "Baby, you had better use the shower and start getting ready, as soon as I've finished here I'll jump in and we can get going. The traffic up the A3 will be heavy so we need to leave fairly quickly." "OK." And turning around she padded out of the small spare room filled with the equipment, the place where her curvy legs met her bottom just about hidden by the end of his white shirt, decidedly enticing and provocative. Misha pulled at the weights, enjoying the feel as his muscles started to burn, his heart rate increased as his blood pumped round his body. Realistically he knew that Gary wouldn't just stop dead with his abuse, and the meeting with Jane today would help to build a safety net around Froo, along with his running 'shotgun' in her life, and hopefully the bastard should learn to leave her alone, and let her get on with living in peace. Finishing up his session he grabbed the small towel, wiping the sweat from his face and neck and walked through the apartment to his bedroom, and the en suite bathroom where he found Froo, brushing her hair, now dressed and almost ready. Climbing into the shower and turning it on, he asked her, "Fancy going shopping in Guildford after we've met with Jane? I need to get some stuff, new shirt for work, maybe a new tie. You can help me choose them." "Alright, but aren't you going into work today?" "Nah, that's the beauty of being the boss, days off when you want," Lifting his face up to the spray of water, he stood, looking like a Greek statue to Froo, one that she had once seen in the British Museum years ago. A living, breathing statue, perfect and very male. * Jane sat opposite the two lovers at her desk, strewn with files and paperwork, it looked a complete mess. Clutching nervously at Misha's hand Froo answered the questions the older woman asked her, every so often glancing at Misha as if asking for reassurance. Whenever it seemed that a question was too difficult for her to answer, Misha gently squeezed her hand in a comforting way, encouraging her to continue, her small voice telling the ugly story of her marriage. "Francesca, we can do a civil injunction, a protection order or a non molestation order, we can prevent your ex from using or threatening violence against you. If he breaches the order it's a criminal offence, with the power of arrest. However I must point out that these can be counter productive and might make little difference if he ignores them. Restraining orders can provide some protection and can carry stronger penalties." "What you're saying is that even with the orders in place he could hurt Froo. The consequence is she can have him arrested, but that is after the fact." "Yes. But Froo could phone the Police if he came to the house, and they will come and arrest him." Froo asked the question that had been on her mind since they had started talking. "If I did this, took out an order, wouldn't it inflame the situation. Gary could get angrier and react badly. At the moment it is more verbal aggression than physical and I don't want to go back to how it was when we were married." "Only you can decide whether you want to go ahead Froo. If you don't we'll work out something else." Misha told her. "Yes it's true Francesca, with some men they can take the order and ignore it completely, but it is there for your protection, and there would be consequences." Misha looked across at Jane, "What about the attachment of earnings." "We can set that up, no problem. The courts ruled an amount payable each month for the child maintenance and we can arrange for that to be paid direct from his earnings if he is recalcitrant on paying." "I don't have to decide right now." "Of course not, think about it and then let me know what you decide." Jane smiled at her, "and in the meantime here are some numbers of people who you can chat to with regards support for abused women." Handing over the sheet of paper to Froo with the contacts written on it, she stood. Getting up, Misha leant over the desk and kissed the Lawyers cheek, "Thank you Jane for your help. I really appreciate it. Froo and I'll get back to you after she decides." Leaving the office, stepping out onto the old cobbled Guildford street they stood, Froo looking small and scared, the memories that had been dragged from her taking away the small victory from the day before. Jace holding her hand, sensing something was wrong with his mother, quiet and subdued. "Want to go back to the apartment?" "Please." The trio of people walked down the road, past the shops lining the cobbled street, until they arrived to the car park, where they climbed into the car and Misha drove them across the town to where he lived, the silence in the car full of thought and tension. * Misha sat with Jace, showing him how to strum the guitar, the young child's little hand trying hard to get all the strings in one gentle sweep, and failing, so that a kind of plink plonk came out of the instrument, whilst Misha's fingers held down a G chord on the neck. Glancing up from where they sat on the floor he watched Froo as she sat, knees up, her arms wrapped around them on the leather couch, deep in thought, her teeth chewing on her bottom lip, a deep frown on her face. He knew she had some hard decisions to make, and though he wanted to give his advice, something told him that she needed to make them herself, without any outside influence, so that she could move forward as a stronger person. After a while he put aside the guitar and grabbing the young boy, said." Come on Jace, I'm hungry, how about you?" "Are we going out for a burger?" "Nope, I'm going to make us something to eat, how about some scrambled eggs on toast, you want to help?" "Yesss. Can I crack the eggs?" "Jace, my man, you are the official egg cracker for the day. Lead on and we'll go make a feast that your mum will be proud of." Walking past the huddled woman sitting deep in thought, Misha's hand reached out and stroked her hair, smiling down at her. Smiling back up, she mouthed, "Thank you." and grabbed his hand in a squeeze, unsaid words passing between them, clear and understood. * Taking out the bread from the freezer, Misha looked at the boy, beating the runny yellow goo in the big bowl with the whisk, a pile of broken egg shell on the counter next to him, thick clumps of sticky egg white spreading out from the mess along the black granite counter top. "That's it Jace, keep up beating in the air, it will make it fluffy when we cook it." The boy, balanced on the breakfast stool, wobbling with every beat of the whisk in his hand, yellow substance splashing over the edge of the bowl, joining in the rest of the mess around him on the counter, told the man now standing behind him watching his ministrations. "I made some fairy cakes with pink icing the other day. We ate them all. Mummy was going to save some for you, but we burnt them, just a little and we ate the ones that weren't too burnt for tea." Misha smiled, "Pink fairy cakes just happen to be my favourite. Next time save one for me, OK." "OK." Taking the bowl and the mixture from Jace, Misha proceeded to make the scrambled eggs on toast for the three of them, comfort food, because comfort food was needed at that moment, and he knew that what ever decision Froo came up with, it was going to take all her effort and thought to get there. * Later, laying in bed, Froo resting her head on his shoulder, Misha lay his right leg slightly raised, his head propped slightly up on the pillows, the silence of the night surrounding them, the only sound in the room their breathing, she lifted up slightly, looking at his face and asked. "Would you think me a coward if I didn't go ahead with the court actions?" Looking down at her Misha whispered, "Froo I would never think of you as a coward, you're the bravest woman I've ever met." "I don't think I want to go down the legal road Mikhail." "Then don't. We'll find another way to deal with him together." Settling her head back down on his shoulder, they lay quietly, both content, feeling more like a couple than they had when they woke up that morning. Taking the Risk Ch. 20 The risk of asking may lead to the risk of refusal, but if you don't ask you don't get, and the pleasure you may have had would be lost for ever. This is the love story between two normal people, with all the fears, doubts and worries that we all have, but each are growing with their love for each other, and taking risks are enriching their lives. I hope you enjoy their story, and please feedback as I have put the suggestions and requests in the story from those that have emailed me, or sent feedback. * He sat on the side of the bed, watching as she stood wearing only her bra and pants in front of the wardrobe, choosing what to wear. Fascinated he watched as her shoulder blades moved as her arms raised up, moving the clothes, searching for what she wanted. The long indent of her spine led down to the cute dimple at the base of her back. A place he loved to kiss, knowing how sensitive she was there. Getting up he stood behind her, hands curving around the flare of her hips, and told her, "Babe, don't worry, my mom is going to love you, just like I do. What ever you wear is going to be OK." Turning around, she looked up at him, "I've got nothing to wear." "That's what all women say!" "That's because it's true." Turning back she pulled out the dress she was wearing when he first met her that night on the blind date. "Perfect babe. Now put it on and let's get going." Pulling on the black dress, the slit neck showing off her lovely shoulders, she walked over to the mirror on her dressing table and scooped up her hair, high on her head and clipped it there, revealing her neck. "Froo, I've been thinking.... I know your family is up here and that your course is not far.... and Jace will be starting school in September...... but....." Turning round at the hesitant sound of his voice, so unusual for him, she looked at him standing by the bed, looking like a little boy about to confess to breaking a window with a ball, nervous and uncomfortable. "What's wrong Mikhail? What have you been thinking about?" Taking a deep breath, he moved forward and took her hand in his, heart beating fast at what he was about to say, and the possible rejection. "We've been together now for five weeks, and we're practically living together, but between two homes. I'm here during the week and at the weekends we're at my place. Both of us keep leaving stuff at each others homes, and then needing them when they aren't at the right place." Froo smiled at the memory of Misha searching for his missing suit on Monday morning, only to remember he had left it in Guildford over the weekend. He had let out a string of epithets, muttered under his breath, a look of frustration on his face. The smile deepened as she remembered that she hadn't felt frightened of him when he lost his temper, unlike when she had been living with Gary. Then he would have blamed her and hit her, but Misha just swore and muttered to himself, telling himself under his breath, that he was a fucking idiot, and pulled out an alternative to wear. "Last week when Gary turned up without warning to see Jace worried me Froo, and I know you didn't let him in past the intercom downstairs, but he still doesn't respect this is your home, and that he has no right to come here." Froo raised her chin, "I'm not scared anymore." Misha smiled, "I know babe, but I am. I worry about you. I love you and all this going between the two homes is getting complicated for me, and exhausting." A tight ball started to form in her tummy. Was this the big goodbye? Did he no longer want her? Suddenly it hit her, this wasn't goodbye. He was taking her down to meet his mother tonight for supper, and right now he stood in front of her, a blush along his cheeks, feet shuffling, as he looked down at her hand in his. "Froo, would you move in with me down in Guildford? You could rent out your place, and you and Jace could come and live with me. It's far enough from your ex that he would think twice before coming down there, and it's close enough for you to get to your course. My apartment is bigger than yours, so we could fit your things in easily, what do you say?" Froo stood quietly in front of him, a small frown on her face. Holding his breath while he waited for her to speak, Misha stood, frightened that she would say no, that he was rushing her, but he wanted her to say yes so badly he could taste it. While he waited for her answer, Froo felt a little let down, realising she had been thinking he was going to propose. "Mikhail, it's a very big step, can I think on it?" "Of course baby." Gathering up her handbag and coat, they walked out of the apartment, Froo deep in thought. Should she take the risk, move in with Misha? How would it affect Jace, and what would her family say? Over the last month they had been together every night, Jace seemingly just accepting that Misha was there, and looking forward to playing with him each night before going to bed, and at weekends when he was with his father, Misha and herself had gone down to his Guildford, where he had seemed so much more comfortable, with all his belongings around him. Tonight after eating at his mothers they were going to stay there at his apartment, having dropped Jace off earlier at his fathers, and she felt more and more at ease there now. Should she do it? Sitting in the car as it moved through the rain, she ran through the pro's and con's of moving in with him, wavering between saying yes, and saying no. Just as they pulled up outside a well kept house in Weybridge, she asked him, "Mikhail, what if we gave it a trial run? I keep my place and not rent it out, but we move down to you, for say about a month, and just see if we can make it work. If it doesn't then nothing's lost, if it does, then we can sort everything out." Misha picked up her hand and kissed it, relief flooding through him, "One month? It's a deal. We'll move as much as you want to move down to my place over this weekend. I'll give you the spare set of keys, and you can re arrange the apartment to however you want." The two lovers smiled at each other, another step taken. * Misha's mother was so like him, tall and slim, with dark short hair, twinkling blue eyes and a joi d'vivre for life. Over a lovely meal of Chicken Paprika and wild rice, she told a number of hilarious stories about her winter cruise over the Christmas season, and the many people she had met, interspersed with escapades that Misha, Robin and John and the many cousins had gotten into in the past. Misha sat squirming as his mother told Froo about the time he got stuck in the tree he had climbed up when eight years old, and playing cowboys and Indians with his cousins, and how it had taken three of his uncles to get him down, with a crowd of neighbours and their children as well as all his cousins watching and cheering. Froo laughed, listening and picturing the younger Mikhail always getting into trouble, being the one that often ended up in scraps and having to be rescued. Finally the photo album came out, and she looked down at the many photos showing the big boisterous family, with Misha in the centre, looking happy and mischievous. The evening was relaxed and saying goodbye, his mother looked at her and with a direct look told her, "Look after my son for me. I can see you make him happy, and next time bring down Jace for me to meet." Then looking up at Misha as he stood behind Froo, a big grin on his face, she scolded him "You behave yourself, and give me a call later on in the week. You leave it too long between phoning me. You're not so busy that you can't call or come over more often." "Yes mom." Smiling back at Froo she confided, "Men, they are just crap at stuff like that. Just like his father. Lost in their own little world." * Sitting up in bed, the covers pulled up over her breasts, Froo watched as Misha sat at the end of the bed, rifling through the post they had discovered when they arrived home at his place. "I like your mother, she's very nice, and seems so much like you. Laid back and calm." "You haven't seen her playing bridge, she completely changes then, like a Jekyll and Hyde, she shouts at her partner, and gets out of shape if she loses a hand." "Do you play bridge?" "Yeah, do you?" "No. I play snap, does that count?" Laughing Misha threw the letters on the floor and standing up, looked down at Froo, her bare shoulders poking up above the white duvet, her face smiling up at him, and started to unbutton his shirt. "Nope, but I can think of a game we both can play, right here in the bed, right now. You game?" "If you are Mikhail! I'm always game." "You know Francesca, that's one of the things I really love about you. You never say no and you're always very game." Dropping the duvet down below her breasts, she gave a beatific smile, just as Misha launched his body up onto the bed and pinned her back against the pillows, shirt ends flying, growling deep in his chest, a masculine sound of satisfaction and pleasure resonating through the bedroom as the two lovers lay upon the big king-sized bed, her sexy primal laugh answering him, sending shivers down his spine. * Later as he lay replete, her head nestled into the crook of his arm, he realised that how ever many times he had told her he loved her, she had never said it once to him. Never once over the past five weeks had she told him how she felt, not even during making love. She would tell him she thought him sexy, told him she found him good looking, kind, gentle supportive, but never that she loved him. When they made love, she was now more un-inhibitive, often trying little things that would drive him wild, things like tonight when she had taken his balls into her mouth and he felt like he was on fire, or kneeling provocatively, her lovely derriere pointing up towards him, her plump breasts hanging down, two lovely globes for him to hold and squeeze as he rode her, her hips rocking back at him, in perfect rhythm, but never telling him that she loved him. And that hurt. He wanted her to love him, just as he loved her. The need inside him was growing, and like a drug addict he was scared she would one day leave, and he would be in pain, just like he was with Suzanne when she left him four years ago. Taking the Risk Ch. 21 To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self. I hope you have enjoyed Misha and Froo's journey of love. For me this has been a labour of love, and thank you for all your kind comments and feedback. Your encouragement has been a blessing. Thank you. * The first sound he heard as he woke up later the next week was Froo throwing up in the en suite bathroom in his apartment. Rushing into where she knelt, her head over the bowl of the toilet, he hunkered down beside her, worried, "You OK babe, what's wrong?" Heaving she didn't answer, and holding back her hair, he grabbed a flannel from the side of the bath and wet it, holding it to her forehead as her body seemed to try to eject nothing from it in violent dry heaves. "Froo, what is it? Are you ill? Was it the fish last night?" Exhausted from the bout of throwing up, she rested her head on her arms against the side of the bowl, shaking her head slowly. Misha sat there worried, unsure what to do, just watching her as she knelt there, her body language telling him she was shattered and scared. Slowly she raised her face, flushed with a shine of perspiration covering it, and looked up at him, tears in her eyes, a look of worry on her face. "I'm sorry Misha, I'm so sorry." "Sorry babe? Don't be silly, it's not your fault if you ate something that has disagreed with you." "I don't think that's it. It's a little more complicated than that." "What do you mean?" Taking a deep breath she grasped her shaking hands together, knowing she had to say what she was about to tell him, and scared of his reaction. "Misha I think I'm pregnant." Watching his shocked face in the silence, she waited for the explosion to occur. Over the last week she and Jace had settled into his apartment, moving lots of stuff down from her place. They had all enjoyed making the two homes into one, and especially going out buying some extra stuff for Jace to make one of the spare rooms more of a child's bedroom, but a couple of days ago she had started to throw up, and gradually she had realised what it might mean. "Pregnant? But how?" Giving a weak smile she answered his question, "In the usual way." Smiling back he told her, "I thought you said you had a coil fitted." "I have, it obviously hasn't worked." "Wow. You're sure? Pregnant...wow." "I'm sorry Misha. So sorry....." Grabbing the woman to him and hugging her, Misha kissed her, "Sorry! You're kidding. This is great. I'm going to be a dad.... Fan-bloody-tastic... A daddy....You're sure?" "Not until I take a pregnancy test. But this is what happened last time." Misha got up and gave a whoop of delight, doing a kind of victory salute, "A daddy, My God, wait until I tell my mom, she is going to be so happy." Froo sat there on the black granite tiles, staring up at her lover, it sinking in that he wasn't angry and was happy about the baby. "Are you sure Misha, a baby is a big step, one we didn't plan." Stopping in his tracks he looked down at her, still kneeling by the toilet, and getting down to sit in front of her, asked her, his heart beating in his chest with fear, "What do you mean Froo, don't you want a baby? What are you saying?" "Of course I want the baby, it's just that we're on a trial live-in together, nothing is set, and this changes everything. A baby is a big thing Misha, it's a lifetime commitment and not something we had planned." Misha looked her in the eye, holding her chin up so she couldn't avoid his stare. "Froo I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Your right, we didn't plan this, but it's happened and it's a miracle of life. I know you don't love me, but I promise you what ever you decide I will be there, to support you. You and Jace and the baby are my family, and you will never have to worry about my side of things." Getting up and walking into the bedroom he stood looking out of the window, onto the field and the early morning joggers, his emotions churning inside of him. After a while he felt her arms slip around him from behind, and her body lean up against his back. "Misha, I adore you." Turning around and circling her with his arms, pulling her into his body, he whispered, "I'll take what ever you offer, Froo. I love you, and I'm not going anywhere. With you I have no choice." * A couple of days later Froo sat at the kitchen table with her mother, telling her the news about the baby. "Haven't you heard of contraception Francesca? What is your father going to say, and what about Gary, he's not going to be too happy about this. What are you going to do? You've only known the father for just a couple of months." Froo looked across at her mother, seeing her for the first time as she really was. Hearing Misha's voice in her head, she lifted up her head, proud and unashamed. "Firstly we did use contraception, it didn't work. But both of us are glad. We are happy about the baby." "Happy now, but what about when it's born and your boyfriend wants to continue with his lifestyle as he is now. How can you be so sure he will still want you and the baby?" "I just know." "Well your first marriage didn't work, did it, and who's to say that this person is going to stay at your side. Francesca you're a fool. He's from a different world, a different country. Why would he want to stay with you and take on another mans child as well as his own?" Taking a deep breath and looking her mother in her eye, she decided it was time to tell her the truth about her first marriage and Gary. "My marriage to Gary ended because I was fed up being used as a punching bag every time he lost his temper. I walked out, it was not the other way around. I never told you about the abuse because I was ashamed. But I'm not ashamed anymore. Misha found me a councillor and I have met with her, and I know it was not my fault, but Gary's. All the times I thought it was something wrong with me, I know now it was his problem and with Mikhail's support I am finding myself, my inner strength and the self confidence I had lost." Looking at her mothers shocked face she continued, "Mikhail loves me. He is a good man, the best. If he asked me to move to the ends of the earth, I would go." Suddenly realising what she had said, and that she really meant it, she continued, her voice rising up, "If you don't like it, I don't care. But I am really happy. I have a man who loves me for who I am, not what everyone thinks I should be. He loves me because of who I am, and not in spite of who I am." Standing up, she looked down at her mother, "And we are both very happy that we are to become parents, and I hope that you look forward to being a Grandmother again, because you are very welcome to come to our home in Guildford and be part of our family. If not, as in the words of my man......tough." Picking up her bag, she walked out and got in her car, heart beating fast. She had really stood up to her mother for the first time, and it felt good. * Misha arrived home, he could smell the food that Froo was cooking for supper wafting out at him, and the sound of laughter coming from Jace as he sat watching a cartoon on the television. Life was very good; coming home from a hard day at the office was now a pleasure. Throwing his jacket over the back of the couch where Jace lay sprawled, he walked into the kitchen and encircling Froo as she stood at the sink washing up some pots and pans, kissed the back of her neck, his hands rubbing up and down her belly, "How is my favourite little incubator feeling today? Much throwing up?" "Mmm a little. Go wash up, supper will be on the table in ten minutes." Wandering into their bedroom, Misha changed into a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, before going back to the kitchen where Froo was serving up. "Smells good, what is it?" "Chicken cooked in cider. I found the recipe on the internet. Hope it works. Can you grab Jace for me." * Later as they lay in bed, Froo climbed on top of Misha, straddling his hips, her body exposed to his view, while he ran his hands up her torso, until he reached her lovely full breasts, which he cupped, his thumbs rubbing back and forth over the hard dark nubs. "I guess these are going to get a little bigger. Something extra to enjoy with the pregnancy." His eyebrows rising and a big grin on his face. "Typical male." "Just telling it like it is babe." Smiling down at him, she said, "Mikhail, there is something I really have to tell you before we go any further." "What babe?" distracted by her body, he was only half listening. "I love you Mikhail." Suddenly his hands stilled, and his eyes flew up to hers. "What did you say?" "I said I love you, you big idiot." Grabbing his hands in hers, she held them, moving them away from where they were, holding her breasts, "I love you. I love the way you are with me, you make me feel safe and protected, you make me laugh, and you make me feel alive. I love the way you make me take risks that stretch me and help me to grow, and most of all I love you because you are the nicest man I have ever met, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Misha swept up, sitting with her on his lap, her legs each side of his, his body and arms holding her tight as he kissed her, a deep and sweet kiss that told her how he felt without words. As they pulled apart he had tears in his eyes. Froo looked at the gorgeous, strong and virile man and saw his vulnerability and emotions, and loved that he wasn't ashamed to show it to her. "Mikhail, will you marry me?" "Francesca, I never thought you'd get around to asking me!" and giving her one of his big wide smiles, "Of course babe, just name the day." Epilogue Misha looked down at her. Never did he believe in his wildest dreams that he could fall in love at first sight a second time. But he had. The moment he had set eyes on her, her fluffy black hair and rosebud lips, his heart had been taken. Anouska Rose. His lovely daughter, and just like her mother, she had his heart. Smiling at Froo as she lay there, hair sticky with the effort of giving birth, face mottled red from exertion, and a shapeless hospital gown encasing her, she had never looked so lovely to him. He was a man who knew the importance of taking a risk in life. Because to love is to risk not being loved in return, and only a person who risks is really free.