Don't Shoot the "Messenger", Ch. 7

Todd had to control his temper as he entered his home office, he started to slam the door and realized that would give him away to Starr. He quickly stuck his hand between the door and jam to stop the noise, only to realized his folly. “Damn it!” He grabbed his hand back looking to see if he had broken it. The door had done a number on his knuckles once again. “Serves you right you idiot, next time use your foot at least it’s protected by a shoe.” He pulled his handkerchief out and wrapped the hand. “You were doing so well in the car. One kiss from Starr and you’re ready to throw the kid in the nearest dungeon. God, what have I let myself in for?”

“You know exactly what you’ve done. You’ve given the kid a chance at a life with Starr and Hope. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Shut up, Samuel, can you honestly say you’re happy about this situation. You really want to see Starr shacked up with that guy.”

“It’s not about what I want. Nor is it about what you want. You did this for Starr, don’t make this about you.”

“Go away Samuel you’re making my head ache.” He sat down resting his elbows on the desk and lowered his head to his hands. His fingers massage his temples trying to take the pain away. He knew Samuel was right, but all he could see was that baby girl he held all those years ago. He had promised to take care of her and give her the best; instead, when she needed him the most, he had been gone, and an impostor had driven her to make the wrong choice. Todd looked over at the picture sitting on his desk. Three generations, Blair Starr, and Hope smiled back at him from the picture. What was the matter with him? What was it in him that drove him to be so jealous of anyone else having a relationship with his girls? He turned his chair and stared out across the terrace. He knew that Starr was probably showing Cole the room and getting him settled. He shut his eyes and soon realized that was a big mistake, suddenly he was seeing another scenario with Cole and Starr, only this time taking place in a room he designed. His eyes flew open and he kicked his trashcan across the room, at the same time slamming his hand down on the chair arm.

“Ahhh!” The pain pulsing from his hand and up his arm made tears come to his eyes as he grabbed his hand close to his chest. He had already called himself an idiot, he could now add stupid and careless as adjectives. So engrossed in his pain and self-pity, he never heard the door open to his office

Blair had decided she needed to check on Todd, especially since he had ridden home with Cole. She had watched Starr and Cole head upstairs when she heard the noise from Todd’s office including the cry of pain. Opening his door, she could see the mess from the trash can scattered across the floor and although his back was to her she sensed something else was wrong. “Todd are you all right?” As he swung around to face her, she saw him clutching his right hand.”What did you do?” she said as she crouched down in front of him to view his injury.

“It’s nothing, I just caught it in the file drawer,” he sat there as she took his handkerchief off to get a better look at his hand and her touch was so exquisite and gentle. She carefully moved his fingers to make sure he hadn’t broken any of them. “Nothing appears to be broken, but it’s pretty bruised. Here, I’ll make it feel better,” and she began to carefully kiss each bruised knuckle.

At the touch of her mouth on his already sensitive hand, he sucked in a breath. The nerves in the hand were so alive, each kiss was a spark beginning at the knuckle and speeding its way to his heart. His body began responding to each caress.

Blair heard the intake and smiled seductively up at her husband and moved between his thighs putting his hand down carefully and bring her own hands to his belt. She unbuckled it, then slowly began unzipping his pants. He was ready and waiting for her. She freed him and started kneading him, all the while watching as Todd closed his eyes to the sensations flooding his body. She paused what she had started and sat back on her heels as she began unbuttoning her blouse one button at a time. He was watching her like a hawk avidly eyeing its next meal and she felt a shiver run through her. Dropping her blouse she began to slowly fondle her own breasts then released them from the constrictions of her bra. She found it erotic to perform in front of him and her body tingled with anticipation for the moment when he would devour her offering.

Todd was finding it harder and harder to keep his hands off her, but he sensed she was truly enjoying her role. “You know Todd, two can play this game.” Todd began to unbutton his own shirt and as he did he watched her tongue slip out and lick her lips. “That’s my girl, do you like what you see?” Backing his chair away from her, he stood over her and let the shirt drop then he lowered his slacks and stepped out of his boxers.

Blair wanted to fling him to the ground as he stood above but instead, she knelt back up and walked her hands up his strong legs pausing briefly to stroke him, then with her hands around his waist she pulled herself upright all the while kissing the muscles rippling with each caress. He started to reach for her and she backed away and shook her head. “Not just yet,” she whispered huskily. Blowing him a kiss and smiling beguilingly, Blair shed her remaining clothes, she began to walk around him, her fingers scraping lightly against his skin.

“You she-wolf, think you’re going to tease me for long? Play your game, but I’ll get my reward.”

His voice was hoarse with desire and Blair quivered with suppressed passion. Then she sidled up to him and started to dance, moving close to him allowing her body to touch and feel his, then moving away. She could tell he was about ready to explode so she moved in to tease him a second time, only this time he was ready for her and grabbed her. She squeaked with surprise at the strength of his grip, but she wasn’t finished playing quite yet. She looped her hands behind his neck and leaned back, allowing her hips to nestle closer to his groin. By now they both were breathing hot and heavy, then Blair wrapped her right leg around his hip to pull him closer.

It was more than he could take. He felt the warmth between her legs and reached down with one hand to caress her where she had just opened herself up to him. Blair moaned as his hand touched her and she pressed into it. That was all the invitation that Todd needed and he lifted her atop him, her second leg now securely wrapped around his waist. She began to ride him as he swung her around, her senses swirling with the movement until he had backed her up to the wall and then his lips came down on her neck. He began to taste and savor her while she rode him, the touch of his lips and teeth sending currents through her as her excitement reached its peak.

          Everything came to a fever pitch and Todd exploded inside her at the same time, marking her with his love bite. Over the moment, he heard her whisper “Todd” and smiled knowing she was his and only his. She clung to him, raining gentle kisses down his neck as he carried her to the couch. When he dropped down with her atop him, she giggled and took to nibbling on his ear. “Hey what are you doing?” He asked in wonder as she tickled and sucked his earlobe.

           She stopped what she was doing and had the cutest grin on her face. “Do you know that your ear curls up at the end, it’s adorable?”


          Todd wanted to sink into the couch. “God, woman, I have no such a thing. You’re making that up.”

          “Scout’s honor, I swear.”

Her hands had found his earlobes and now they were making his head spin. He had loved the feel of her hands in his hair from the first time they danced but what she was doing to his ears was sinful. He closed his eyes enjoying the sensation. “Mmm, I think you just said that because you found something new you like to play with.”

Blair smiled at him knowing he was enjoying her touches and then giggling again she dove back in for a little more earplay. Her greatest satisfaction came when he moaned in pleasure from the new overload to his senses.

The sun was starting to set when Todd and Blair finally left the office. He strolled over to the sound system and turned on some jazz and went to make some drinks, while Blair went to check on the dinner that had gone into the oven earlier. Jack wandered in, texting on his cell phone, it seemed he had a new girlfriend. At his son’s entrance, Todd felt it might be time to once again discuss Jack’s actions concerning Shane and his mother Gigi, but he would let it go this evening since it was Cole's first night in the house. Speaking of the father of Hope, Starr and Cole came into the room. The kid looked rested and more comfortable than he had when he arrived. Todd glanced at his daughter but she just seemed happy Cole was in the house. He breathed a little sigh of relief, she didn’t look like someone who had just had a go at the love of her life. Blair walked across the room to him, he smiled, loving the glow Blair gave off after they made love. Shaun and the children were the last to arrive for dinner. Hope and Sam had managed to get Shaun to play with them in the playroom, it also looked like the three of them had been playing with some silly string.

Todd stared hard at the big man.. “Why Shaun, I never realized bodyguards used Silly String in their arsenal. Is that the new weapon of choice these days?”

            Blair looked at Todd askance. Surely he wasn’t upset that Shaun played with the children?

           “Well you know, Mr. Manning, I’ve found it is especially useful when fighting off the little people,” Shaun replied seriously. He looked straight at Todd and grinned. Todd raised his glass to him and then offered him a drink. Shaun reached for the bottle.

          Todd stopped him saying. “You can have it if you’ll stop calling me Mr.Manning. I know you don’t know me well, but you do know my family. What I know about you, is that you’re loyal and you would die for my family. That makes you a friend more than an employee, I wish you would call me Todd.” He put out his hand as an offer of friendship.
 

Only Blair and Starr realized the importance of the gesture. Todd very rarely offered his hand to anybody, Ray was the only one that Blair could think of, who Todd trusted enough to consider a friend, he respected Larry and Michael but he treated them like professionals. She had an inkling he liked John but wasn’t about to let the detective too close at least not yet. She was nervous, afraid that Todd’s reputation might keep Shaun from accepting his hand. She knew Todd would simply shrug it off if Shaun chose to remain just an employee but she also knew it would hurt him to the quick.

Shaun had taken his measure of Todd the first time he had seen him in the hospital. What he saw then was a man who was a survivor and one who was determined to be there for his family. Everything that had happened since had just confirmed his assessment. He knew about the man’s past. But he had been taught that everybody deserved a second chance. Shaun knew Manning had brought the Thornhart kid into his household to protect him because he was Hope’s father. He extended his hand and grasped Todd’s in a firm grip. “Sure Todd, that’s fine with me.”

Todd felt surprise run through him. He had offered his hand but hadn’t really expected the big guy to take it. After all, he had worked for Jake, and Todd had been afraid that might keep Shaun at arm's length. He tightened his grip, nodded, then handed Shaun his drink. “Good that’s settled, as an unofficial member of the family please feel free to make more of your chili.” Shaun laughed and Todd turned to Blair. “Babe what’s for dinner.”

Blair smiled, he hadn’t called her that in a long time. “Roasted chicken with the skin crisp just the way you like it. Now, why don’t you all come and get it.”

Cole had sat through dinner, overwhelmed by the sense of family. Todd was nothing like he had imagined. He had surprised him for the third time when he had offered his hand in friendship to Shaun. The second time had been when he had entered the room Starr’s dad had let him have. Now, this. Sure Starr had told him how her father was when she was little, but he had always thought she was exaggerating when she said her dad knew how to have fun. Fun had never been an adjective his mother had ever associated with Todd Manning. and the impostor Todd had been anything but fun. This Todd, heck, this Todd was actually being silly for the sake of the children. Laughter was the name of the game around the table as he started telling fractured fairy tales to Hope and Sam to get them to eat. His endings were so out there even Shaun was laughing. Cole had found himself drawn into the stories right along with the children, only to be totally astonished by the ending. Equally amazing was the fact that by the end of Todd’s tales, both Sam and Hope had eaten every bite on their plates. The man was plain mysterious.