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“No objection from me.” Moving in with her was one of the best decisions he had ever made. Not just because he could make love to her any time he wanted, but because she made him happy. She relaxed him. She was becoming his drug, and he had to be careful.
She scooted to the edge of the bed and turned the lamp on. Her body was smooth and tanned, hips red from his grasp, legs long and toned. Her hair was wavy and fell down her back, a few strands in her face as she looked at him. He had always thought she was beautiful, and this wasn’t the first time he had seen her naked but seeing her sitting on the edge of the bed, so comfortable in their nudity together, it was a whole new attraction he had never felt with anyone else.
“On a serious note, we need to talk about Mitch.”
Michael nodded and took her hand, kissing the back of it. “We do.”
“Tonight. My last client is around 3:30. Then I can come home, and we can figure things out. That’ll give us a few hours before the AA meeting.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be here. I’ve got a counselor appointment after work, but I’ll be done long before you get here.”
She leaned over him, resting her forehead on his, hair draping down around them. “Come take a shower with me. I don’t want you to be late.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen you, Haize. I’m glad you made another appointment to come talk to me.” Her counselor sat across from her. She had been seeing her for a couple of years now, from weekly appointments, to monthly, and then as needed as she progressed through her demons and sobriety.
“It’s been a few months, and so much has happened. I guess I’m here for advice more than anything, Janet.”
Janet leaned forward, pen poised in her hand, her reading glasses low on her nose as she looked at Haize over the top of them. She was a beautiful woman, in her 50’s, with long brunette hair always styled in beach waves, and dressed stylish in a very professional manner. Haize had aspired to be like her and learned a lot from her.
“You know as well as I do that advice isn’t really why I’m here for you. But you can tell me what’s on your mind and we’ll start from there.”
“I met a guy.”
Janet nodded and smiled. “It’s about time you did something for yourself. I think you’ve been sober long enough to feel comfortable taking on a relationship.”
“It’s complicated. But then it’s not. I haven’t spoken to anyone about it. We’ve kept it private, but now it’s going to be hard to accomplish that.”
“How’s it complicated?” Janet clicked her pen open and shut, never truly writing much down. She had the best memory, never forgetting anything Haize had told her.
“Here’s where you’re gonna hate me, Janet.” She took a deep breath and proceeded. “He’s in recovery. Paroled from prison about six months ago. One of his parole requirements was to attend AA meetings. That’s how we met.”
“The meetings you run?” Her tone wasn’t judgmental. She was just trying to clarify facts.
“Yes.”
“Are you his counselor?”
“No. He sees one, but it’s not me. I started out as his AA sponsor.”
Janet nodded and leaned back in her chair, removing her reading glasses. “The only issue I’m seeing here is he’s fresh in recovery. Two alcoholics or drug addicts in a relationship can get pretty sensitive, should one of you relapse. Has he relapsed since being out?”
“No. Well, he’s a sex addict too, so I guess he relapsed with me.”
“So, you have slept with him?”
Haize nodded, recalling that morning before work. More messing around in the shower, allowing him to leave just in time to make it to work before being late. She was sore and tired, but it was a good tired, and the thought of all the things they did to each other made her blush as if Janet could see her thoughts.
“Oh yes, quite a bit.”
“A woman your age should be sexually active, Haize. I know in the past you’ve shut down with men. Your memory of the things that happened to you as a child made you unable to have a sexual relationship. How has that changed with this man?”
“I don’t shut down at all. He makes me feel things I never have. I’ve never shut down around him. I’ve never felt uncomfortable. I can be myself. He can put his hands on me and I want him to.”
“What’s your worry? Why do you say it’s complicated? I’ve given my reasons – I’m just concerned about you both being in recovery. He still seems fragile. And as for the sex addiction, is he sleeping with anyone else, or is he being faithful to you?”
“He’s being faithful,” Haize replied. At least she hoped he was. “My worry is about the same as yours. I was worried about it from an ethics point of view.”
