On Saturday, Michael went to the gym and put in a strenuous workout before heading to the park for a five-mile run, trying desperately to shake the restlessness that had kept him tossing all night. In those moments he did manage to sleep, his dreams were filled with that red hair, the green dress, her laugh, those tits. He kept trying to minimize last night, to compartmentalize it somehow, but he couldn’t dismiss the sensory overload of Maggie in his arms, her breath on his neck, the taste of her lips beneath his. 

Freshly showered, he pulled on a pair of grey sweatpants, towel-drying his hair on his way to the kitchen. From the dark granite counter, a blue light blinked on his phone. It was a voicemail from Veronica. “I need to see you,” she’d said. He called her right away. 

“Hey, Ronni, what’s up?” he asked, curiosity momentarily distracting his thoughts. 

“I’ve missed you, Michael.” He heard the lazy smile in her voice. “I’d like to stop by and see you this evening. Are you busy?” 

Michael gave a relieved sigh. His exertions today had not quenched the thirst he’d had when he’d left Maggie’s the previous night. Maybe Veronica would. “No, come on over. I’ve missed you, too.” 

While he waited for Veronica, Michael tidied up quickly, tossing dirty clothes into one of the spare bedrooms. His housekeeper wouldn’t be in until Tuesday. He traded the sweatpants for a pair of jeans and a fitted black v-neck t-shirt. He placed some cheese and fruit on a small black platter, opened a bottle of chardonnay to allow it to breathe, and was in the process of lighting a few scattered candles against the dusk that was falling when the front desk called. “There’s a guest to see you, Mr. Rannigan.” 

“Yes, thank you, please send her up,” he replied. Michael opened his door and leaned casually against the frame as he looked down the hall to the elevator. The doors slid open and he watched as Veronica stepped out, his eyes landing first on her perfectly manicured toes in tan stiletto sandals with ties around the ankles, probably Jimmy Choo. His gaze slid up her shapely tanned legs to the hem of her clingy navy knit wrap dress with its deep v neckline and side tie. 

His gaze lingered, appreciating the way her tits bounced as she walked towards him. They’d been a gift from her late husband, who had probably never enjoyed them as much as Michael did. Her blonde hair hung in waves around her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkled knowingly. He allowed a lazy grin to creep across his face. 

“You are a sight for sore eyes, beautiful,” he said, kissing her cheek lightly. 

“How are you, Michael?” she asked in her smoky voice, returning his kiss. 

“I’m better now,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”

Veronica settled on the large leather sectional, primly crossing her legs and resting her arm on the back of the sofa. Michael poured wine for them and set the tray of cheese and fruit on the coffee table opposite the sofa. He handed her a glass and sat on the sofa, pulling his foot under him and facing her, lightly caressing the arm she rested on the back of the sofa. 

“How have you been? I haven’t seen you in what, three months?” 

“I’m fine,” she sighed. “I’ve been busy, what with the renovation on the apartment. And I went to Greece for a few weeks. It was ghastly, really, so crowded with tourists.” She sipped her wine and continued speaking. Occasionally as she did, she brought her hand to her chest, absently stroking her cleavage. 

Michael didn’t even try to listen. His eyes were on the tie at her waist. Just a tug and she’d be open to him. He wondered what she was wearing under the navy blue Tory Burch dress. His thoughts flitted to Maggie, wondering what had been under that delicious green dress. He felt his erection growing. He had waited absolutely as long as he could. 

Michael slid closer to Veronica, took her glass, and set it on the table beside the untouched cheese tray. “God, I’ve missed you,” he growled, taking her cheek in his palm and leaning in to kiss her. She responded, kissing him passionately before moving her lips along his scruffy jaw to just below his ear. 

Michael nibbled down her neck and slid his hand into the top of her dress, fondling her breast, using his thumb to brush across the sensitive nub, rendering it fully awake. 

“Mmm.” The low moan came from Veronica as she slid down slightly, drawing him down with her. Michael leaned up and gave her a roguish grin before reaching to tug the tie that was keeping her hidden from him. She smiled lazily and draped her arms over her head as he opened her dress, exposing her unnaturally full tits, her tanned at belly, her smoothly waxed pussy. He paused, appreciating the view. 

“Before you go any further, sailor, you’re overdressed,” she teased. He pulled the black shirt over his head and tossed it aside, leaning over her again, pressing his knee against her moist sex. 

Moaning again, she lightly brushed her hands over his chest, running her fingers through the sprinkling of salt and pepper hair there as he kissed her again, but he pushed her hands back up again and worked his way lower to cover her right nipple with his mouth, suckling voraciously. 

Veronica panted and arched her back, grinding her pussy against his knee. “Not so fast, lover,” she breathed. 

Michael sat back, running a hand through his hair. Veronica took advantage of the opportunity to kneel on the sofa and undo his fly. He hadn’t bothered with underwear and his erection sprung forward freely. She stilled for a moment, dress hanging open and showcasing her rm, round tits and she fixed him with a sensual stare as she gripped his cock, circling her thumb around the head, smearing the glistening pearl she found there. Still wearing her dress like a cloak, she slowly leaned forward keeping her eyes on his and took him in her mouth. 

“Oh, shit, Ronni,” he hissed. He watched her taking him in and out of her mouth, licking and sucking as she did, and he reached down to pull up the back of her dress, exposing her ass. He remembered the feel of Maggie’s ass under his hand last night. And her rm tits pressed tight against his chest. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, nearly losing control. But when he glanced down, the face was wrong. 

He gripped Veronica’s hair and pulled her off his cock. Standing with his jeans around his knees, he spun her so that she faced the back of the sofa. He leaned over her, reaching around to roughly grope her tits with one hand and plunge the fingers of the other into her pussy, grinding his rock-like shaft into her ass crack while feverishly biting her neck. 

She gasped at his sudden shift. “Jesus, Michael!” 

He withdrew his fingers from her pussy and used them to circle her clit and she responded by moaning deeply. “I want you from behind!” he hissed. Michael gripped her hips and thrust his cock home. 

“Oh, shit!” She held on tightly to the back of the sofa as he repeatedly slammed into her as far as he could go, his movements harsh and primal. Eyes closed, Michael saw the long red hair, the green dress, and he continued his frenzied pumping. Veronica came noisily, loudly calling out his name. 

He felt his own release exploding, his cock convulsing as he spent himself into her. “Oh, God, Mags,” he breathed as his last spasm subsided, collapsing beside Veronica. 

They lay side by side catching their breath. After a moment Veronica pushed up on one elbow and kissed his cheek. She stood and tied her dress back around herself, dug into her bag for cigarettes and a lighter, and went out onto the veranda. Michael slid back into his jeans and followed her outside. The twinkling lights of the city were soothing. 

“That was really something, sailor,” she said without turning around. He wrapped his arms around her petite frame and kissed her neck. 

“You are amazing, Ronni,” he breathed against her cheek.

“It wasn’t me you were fucking,” she said impassively.

“What?” he asked, blocking Maggie out of his thoughts.

Veronica turned to face him. “In your mind I was someone else.” She gazed at him steadily.

“Ronni, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Michael denied. “You’re the best.”

She took another drag on her cigarette, blowing the smoke to the side. 

“Come, Michael. You’ve never been that aggressive before.” She smiled tightly. “I talked to Gina Lewis. She was at the Music in Schools event last night. She said that you were with a stunning redhead.” 

Michael flushed and looked away. “I wasn’t with her, I went to the party with Jana Hansen. I wanted to take you, if you recall. Maggie is a lawyer with my firm.” 

“I’m not jealous, handsome, so lighten up. I heard you shared a pretty intimate dance with a beautiful girl. I’m happy for you, you know.” 

He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not seeing Maggie, it’s just...” he paused. “Jana had to leave and Maggie and I ended up hanging out for the rest of the party. I would never date someone from work. It would create too many problems.” 

Veronica smiled wistfully. “I’ve never known you to be so intense. It was me on the couch, but you were fucking that girl.” 

Michael shook his head in frustration and stalked to the other side of the veranda, looking out over the city. 

“This is the last time I can see you,” Veronica said quietly. “I’m getting married.” 

“You’re what?” he whirled to face her, eyes wide. 

“We’re announcing it at a party next month. I wanted to tell you first. You’re invited, of course.” She smiled at him affectionately. “You didn’t think I was going to wait around forever, did you?” She moved toward him, cupping his cheek in her hand. “You are a delicious diversion, Michael. But it’s time I grew up.” She kissed him tenderly and returned inside to collect her bag. 

Silently, Michael followed her, pausing to shrug back into his shirt. Veronica stopped at the door. “I’m sorry you’re so surprised, Michael. Truthfully, knowing about your redhead makes me feel better about you. At least you won’t be alone.” She gave a knowing look. “Don’t take too long. She won’t wait forever, either.” She kissed him passionately. 

“Goodbye, Michael.”