Sitting across from Lindsey at the empty coffee shop at six-thirty one weekday morning, Mike had waited until he was sure the owner was in the kitchen, out of earshot, before asking his question.
That was a good thing, because his lover almost hacked up a lung coughing over the mouthful of coffee she’d just sipped. He leaned across the table and patted her on the back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you choke.”
She got control of herself and quickly scanned the shop. “Are you crazy?”
“There’s nobody else here.” There probably would be in another fifteen or twenty minutes, when the other teachers and high school students started drifting in for their morning charge-ups. But for now they were entirely alone.
Lindsey had been working very hard to get her classes up to speed for their end-of-the-year exams. She’d told him that during the first two weeks of Callie’s surprise maternity leave, the inexperienced sub had done nothing but show movies with vaguely scientific themes—like Jurassic Park. So Lindsey always went in to the school superearly to get on top of the day’s work. She might not be a teacher by vocation, but she was dedicated and very serious about her temporary job. Just something else to admire about her.
Usually, she got her coffee to go. Mike knew that, which was why he’d made his own stop here as soon as he’d gotten off his overnight shift. He’d been waiting for her when she walked in, his smile a challenge, his offer to sit down and have coffee with him an invitation she couldn’t refuse. Risky, but since the place was deserted, she had agreed.
“Now, Thinkgasms?”
“You’ve been searching me on Google.”
“Did you really think I wouldn’t?”
She ran the tip of her index finger along the rim of her mug. “Actually, I’m surprised it took you this long. It’s been ten whole days since you found out who I really am.”
Ten days. Was that all? Seemed as if he’d known her—been her lover—far longer than that. She’d become so much a part of his life, he had trouble remembering how he’d spent his spare time on the island before her arrival.
“You do a good job distracting me.” He smiled over his cup, letting her see the warm appreciation in his stare. Damn, he wanted her. They’d only been able to grab an hour together yesterday, between the end of her workday and the start of his work night. That hadn’t nearly been enough, and he was jonesing for her touch the way a junkie did for drugs.
“So, inventor of the Thinkgasm, tell me all about it.”
“Can you put that in the form of a question?”
He raised a brow.
“I guess you didn’t watch the Jeopardy! clip.”
“You were a game-show question? That’s some serious fame there, babe.”
“Yeah, uh, my bosses didn’t appreciate that kind of fame.”
“They’re idiots.”
“They especially didn’t appreciate the Today show coverage.”
“Dicks.”
“Well, to be honest, I wasn’t crazy about that one, either. They made my work into a big joke—some female guest was trying to Thinkgasm herself on the show. Har, har, let’s make fun of women’s sexuality and go all When Harry Met Sally diner-orgasm-scene on live television.”
He reached across the table and took her hand, knowing her well enough to gauge that she was upset. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject. I really was just curious.”
She squeezed his hand. “It’s okay. I’m the one who’s sorry. I guess I’m still a little touchy about it. I mean, it’s fine if Lady Gaga tells the world she can think herself off, but let a female psychologist do a major study on it and the sky falls in.”
She was right. It was unfair, and incredibly sexist. He was a guy, and even he could see it. Fortunately, there were plenty of women in his family—no sisters, but female cousins and aunts, and his very independent mom—who had instilled in Mike, and his brothers, a serious respect for women.
“As for what it is, if you looked it up on Google, I’m sure you already get the basic premise of the Thinkgasm.”
“Uh, yeah. Women always were the more imaginative sex. Can you do it?”
“Nope.”
“Have you tried?”
“Yep.”
He laughed at her disgruntled expression, but it quickly segued into a smile. Her eyes were twinkling now, her good humor returning, so he asked, “Now, be honest, have you tried since you and I have been involved? Because, seriously, I could probably Thinkgasm all over myself just remembering what we did Thursday night.”
She licked her lips, obviously remembering, too. There was so much to remember. The sex had been wild. Amazing. He’d done things with her he’d only ever fantasized about doing. While they hadn’t tried every one of her naughty toys, they’d definitely put a dent in that box full of sin.