Chapter Seven ~ Pocketful of Sunshine
Mike woke up the next morning bright and early. He hummed softly to himself as he made his bed. After quickly getting himself together Mike headed out to the beach, careful to be quiet so not to disturb his housemates. They met every couple mornings for a run. Abby waited for him down by the water, dressed in her running gear. "Hey," she smiled.
He returned the expression, "Good morning."
They were met on their way by their morning run companion. The collie mix greeted them with a bark. "Hey, BD," Abby called back to him. The energetic dog jumped in the air beside the couple.
Mike tapped his thigh, "Come on, BD." BD continued to follow them down the beach. They ran down to their rock before stopping. Mike put his hand on his hips. He bent down to take several labored breaths. Abby stretched beside him. "I thought I was a runner," Mike said.
"Why don't we sit," Abby motioned to the rock. They settled in together and began to watch the ocean. It was a nice calm, quiet morning. The beach was nearly empty except for the couple and their dog.
"When we get back east, where are you thinking of living? Going back to Baltimore?" Mike asked.
"Depends if we'll be able to afford an apartment in DC or not," she took up his hand and entwined their fingers, "That is if you're up for another roommate."
"Well, I would hope we'd be more than roommates," Mike nudged her with his shoulder.
A rose color graced Abby's cheek as she realized the significance of what they were talking about. "Me too," she agreed.
"I'm up for it if you think you can put up with me," Mike licked his lips.
"Doesn't sound like a problem," Abby replied. He cupped the side of her face and brought her in for a slow, thorough kiss.
BD jumped up and put his paws on Abby's leg. "We haven't forgotten you," she began to play with the dogs face. BD barked to her. "What's that? You're hungry, Boy? I just might have to take you home and get you fed," Abby said. Mike had the creeping suspicion that when they headed back east BD would be coming with them. His girlfriend had gotten pretty attached while look after the dog before taking him to the vet for a checkup.
"Could you come back to the jeep with me? I left something in the trunk," Mike requested.
"Sure," Abby agreed. Mike got up then helped Abby to her feet.
They made their way back to the jeep. Mike opened the back and brought out an oversized gym bag. "What's in the bag?" she inquired.
"Something to help you protect yourself," Mike answered.
"You mean my stilettos won't work?" Abby quipped.
"No," Mike laughed. He remembered opening up Abby's bathroom door to her holding up her shoe, ready to hit the intruder in her rented apartment. She instantly relaxed once she saw him, of course being in just a towel probably helped. "You need something a little more effective," Mike said.
Abby's mind began to race. "Mike, I…" she began.
"I know you won't touch a gun," he assured her, "So I got the next best thing." Mike produced a long metal piece of sporting equipment.
"A golf club?" Abby laughed.
"What else were you expecting?" he asked.
"I don't know, a knife or a bat," she thought for a moment.
"You would use a knife?" Mike raise an eyebrow.
"If I had to," Abby answered.
Mike got a small switchblade knife out of his pocket. He clicked it open and handed it to Abby. Facing her, Mike took a step back. "Come at me," he directed.
Abby made a hesitant jab towards Mike with the knife. He took control of her wrist. Mike yanked her around and into him. He enveloped her in his arms. Abby tried to push free, but Mike held her just tight enough to keep control. She threw her head back into Mike's shoulder. He craned down to her ear. "A knife is too small- it leaves you vulnerable when you are on the defensive," Mike said.
"I get that now," Abby replied, trying to keep a straight face. This seemed very important to Mike and she wanted to take it seriously for his sake if not her own. It was hard to concentrate with his hot breath on her ear and neck.
"I don't want you ever to get that close to an attacker," he released her.
"Me either," Abby gave him back the knife. "It's for show," he shrugged.
He closed the blade and stuck it back in his pocket. "Now, a bat works, but this is better," Mike picked up the golf club. He swung it in the air in a straight line. Mike rested the club on his shoulder, "More force to a smaller area."
"More damage at the sight of impact," Abby concluded.
"Correct- speaking in physics' terms," Mike grinned. He gave her the golf club. She held it out in front of her trying to get a feel for the distribution of the weight.
"If they're standing, go for the legs," Mike suggested.
"I am not taking a golf club to your knees," she protested.
"You don't have to," Mike replied. He held his hand out to her. Abby took it. "Walk with me," Mike beckoned.
She came to his side and they began to round the building to the side. Mike had setup a dummy bag for her to hit. He showed it to her, "This is your target."
"Better," Abby smiled.
"Are you ready?" Mike asked.
She nodded. Abby lifted the club over her head and brought it down on the dummy bag with her full force. "How was that?" she looked to her boyfriend.
"Remind me never to get you angry," Mike smirked, "Let's try something lower that would be disabling. Remember the knees."
"Right," Abby readied the weapon once more. She swung the club and missed. Mike caught her. Abby closed her eyes. The world was spinning. She blew out a breath and allowed herself a moment to settle. In his arms Abby felt the earth under her feet again. "Are you ok?" Mike asked. One look at his face and she was just as dizzy as when the golf club sent her swinging. Damn. Where did he get permission to be so hot?
"Yeah," she found her voice, "Guess I got a little carried away there." She blushed then dipped her head.
"You're fine," Mike assured her, "It takes some practice if your not use to a weapon."
She nodded. Looking up at him she lost herself in his eyes, almost hypnotized by their blue. Mike leaned in and captured her red lips with his own. Abby happily turned within his embrace. She rested her hands on his chest. It paid to wake up early some days.
They slowly parted. "Another way is by holding it with a hand on both ends and hit it at their neck or waist, like so," he took the club and showed her what he meant. Mike handed it back to Abby. She copied his earlier hold.
"One more swing?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Ok," Abby agreed.
Mike was standing a little too closely behind her as Abby brought up the golf club. It smacked right into Mike's nose, hard. Mike stumbled back and grabbed his nose.
"Oh my, I am so sorry," Abby turned around and rubbed her hand on his back. She helped him steady himself on his feet. Once he released his nose she kissed it and gave him another big kiss on the lips as an apology.
''Don't worry about it, at least you know it works," Mike hissed in a bit of pain.
They headed up into the house for a drink. Once they got a couple of glasses, both sat down on the couch and cuddled for a little while.
"You did good. If you think you need some more lessons then just ask and I will try and find something else other than a golf club," Mike and Abby laughed and kissed slowly. They started making out on the couch but soon stopped. "I'm sorry, we can't do this here, the others could be back any minute and I don't want to get lectured on the rules of the house... Again," he smirked. Abby smiled. She gave him another kiss and got up.
"I'll call you later," Abby said. Then she walked out the door.
