Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I shattered, soaring high, not caring about the fallout. She screamed her release into my mouth, and we succumbed together, burning bright. Hot. Filled with love, desire, and, finally, completion. Never had I experienced such intensity. Never had an orgasm gone on so long.
Until we hit the ground.
Shivering, shaking, holding each other tightly.
Unable to speak. To move.
To try to explain what had just happened.
Because no words could properly express the intensity and emotion of it.
I pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa and draped it around us. We sat utterly motionless and silent, me still inside her, not wanting to move.
Until she cleared her throat.
“Wow.”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “Wow is right.”
“I’m not sure what that was. Aside from amazing.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth.”
She yawned, cuddling into my chest. “We should go to bed.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Do you think you could sleep now?”
“I’m not sure I can move.”
“Then we’ll stay here.”
I chuckled. “That can’t be too comfortable.”
“I’m okay.”
With a Herculean effort, I stood, not surprised to find my legs shook. “I need you to be more than okay.”
“Don’t trip on your underwear.”
That made me laugh, and somehow, I kicked them off from my ankles, carried her to bed, and crawled in after her. She wrapped her arms around me, and I rested my head on her chest, listening to her heartbeat.
“I love you, Cherry.”
I felt her smile.
“I know.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Dom
“What if she doesn’t show?” I asked Halton.
He took a sip of his coffee, looking calm. “I’ll call the judge, and he’ll rain hellfire down on her.” He indicated the chair beside him. “Sit. You’re not fighting this on your own, Dom. I’m here to confirm the boy is here, and I’ll stay across the restaurant to make sure she doesn’t do anything to mess with your time. I’ll report everything to the judge.”
“Who is she bringing?”
He scoffed. “Her lawyer canceled this morning. So, I guess, no one.” He looked past me. “They’re here. Go sit with Cherry.”
I headed to the table across the restaurant we’d agreed on. It wasn’t busy, and the food was decent. Josh could pick out whatever he wanted, and I got to have lunch with my son for the first time in years.
They walked in, and I was surprised when, other than a scathing glance my way, Roxanne indicated me to Josh and listened to whatever Halton had to say with a nod. I heard her reply, her sharp “I’ll be here at three,” clear across the space. Then she left.
Halton walked over, and I stood, tamping down the tsunami of emotions I felt. Josh was tall for his age, and even if I hadn’t seen a picture of him, I still would have known him. He looked like me. Right down to the serious expression I tended to wear. I could tell he wasn’t overly happy to be here, but he came.
We stared at each other for a moment, then his gaze bounced to Cherry. “Hey, it’s the math lady. What are you doing here?”
She smiled and held out her hand. “It’s Cherry,” she reminded him. “I’m your dad’s fiancée.”
“Oh.” He frowned. “Is that why you were nice to me?”
“No. I didn’t know who you were until you told me your name. I was nice to you because I liked you.”
“Oh,” he repeated. “Cherry, then.”
His gaze swung back to me. “I’m not calling you Dad.”
I held out my hand, not surprised at his words. “How about Dom? It’s good to see you again, Josh.”
He stared at my hand, then extended his. “I guess.”
Halton lifted his eyebrows at me and nodded. “I’ll be over there.” He walked away, returning to his table and opening his laptop.
I indicated the booth where Cherry was sitting. “Will you join us?”
He sat down with a huff. “Like I have a choice.”
I sat across from him, and we studied each other. “How about you give me a chance?” I asked. “It’s lunch and a couple of hours.”
“And next week for the whole day. Taking me away from my weekend.”
“I’ve waited nine years for that day, Josh.”
That seemed to surprise him. “Why?”
I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t want to get into a mud-slinging match about what his mother had done, compared to what she had told him. I only wanted to get to know him. For him to know me.
“Because you’re my son, and I missed you.”
He frowned, and I had a feeling he wanted more. I looked at Cherry, feeling helpless and unsure how to answer.
“Why don’t we take it one step at a time?” she suggested. “We’ll concentrate on today. How about we order lunch, and you tell us about your life, Josh. Did the math tips I gave you help on your test?”
That simple question changed his countenance completely. He grinned at her. “Yeah, it did. It made studying easier, and I got a C+ on my test. Last one, I got a D. My teacher was happy, and my mom didn’t yell at me.”