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Maddoc and Raven walk around the hood, and I’d bet we’re all curious to see what Zoey will do—go to them as she has every day or go to her.
“Baby!” she shouts next, and while I thought I’d gain relief, I’m no less edgy than I was five seconds ago.
I glance up at my dad on the porch, nodding lightly when he tips his chin, disappearing inside.
Zoey cups her mouth and starts talking to Raven’s belly, while Maddoc bends on one knee to listen, his eyes glued to Zoey’s face.
Victoria quietly closes the door and slowly steps beside me.
I don’t move my eyes to hers, and she doesn’t say anything, not until Zoey notices she’s there and damn, if a big, bright smile doesn’t cover her face.
She drops her popsicle and runs over.
Victoria stiffens, maybe unsure of where Zoey is headed, to her or to me, or maybe it’s of how we’ll react. I can’t be sure, but the second it’s clear her entire aura changes.
Victoria laughs, a soft and airy sound, and throws her arms out.
“Hey Mama!” Victoria calls with excitement.
Zoey claps and runs right up for Vee to lift her.
I can’t not look.
My entire body turns to watch as Zoey’s forehead falls to Victoria’s.
Her hands come up to her cheeks next, and Zoey giggles.
“Look at you, ZoZo.” She smiles, squeezing her. “You’re all better.”
She nods, her nose gently and like second nature, brushes with Victoria’s. “And you’re all better, too?”
Victoria inhales deeply, her eyes closing, a smile I can hardly handle directed at my little girl—the most honest smile I’ve ever witnessed.
Real, loving.
Fuck.
She loves my daughter?
My mind races, panic flaring, and I’m ready to snag Zoey away, but Royce comes up, clamping a hand on both of their shoulders and both their heads move his way.
“Oh, yeah, Zoey Bear. VicVee’s real good. Daddy made her feel all sorts of better.”
“Oh my god.” Raven shakes her head, her hand coming up to hide her smile.
My muscles lose some tension and I too fight a chuckle, but then Victoria’s eyes slide to mine briefly and I’d swear a hint of color rises up her cheeks.
“Yay!” Zoey, completely oblivious shouts, kicking her feet until she’s set down and runs back for the house. “Hu-mon, guys! Miss Maybell maked cookies! Chocolate ones, Uncle Bro!”
Light chuckles float across us, and slowly everyone moves for the house, but Victoria only makes it a single step before she pauses, glancing at me over her shoulder.
She doesn’t say anything, and when she walks away, she doesn’t go into the house like I thought she would. As far as I can tell, her smile never falters as she steps around the property, disappearing from my view.
And all I can think of is how I want her back in sight.She smiled at her as if she was all she saw.
All she needed.
All she had.
I will never unsee the sight.
Never.
As if that was all I was supposed to write, the ink in my pen dies, leaving me to stare at the half blank page.
So I push to stand, slip from my room and down the hall to hers.
Victoria sits on her windowsill, and as her head lifts to mine, I’d swear she was waiting for me.
I walk inside, closing the door behind me, and she stays right where she is, her eyes locked on mine across the room.
Tonight, I’ll try something different, I’ll write the memory inside my head, for only me to reread and interpret.
Lust or more?
It’s an unnecessary question.
I want more than what her body can give, this much I know, but am I ready to admit this to her, to act on it?
I don’t know, but neither of us need that answer tonight.
I grip my shirt by the collar, and tug it over my head, letting it fall to the floor as I make my way toward her.
Her hand shifts, now gripping the framing and she stretches her spine, her chest inflating with her full inhale.
My fingers slide across her throat, eyes falling to the contact when she swallows, as I knew she would. I let my hands glide farther down, until the stretchy material of her top is hooked around my fingers.
I tug, and slowly, she rises to her feet.
I trace along her collarbone, down the edges of her breasts and ribs, until I’m wrapping them around her ass. I dip, gliding my hands along the underside of her thighs, and lift her from the floor.
Her arms and legs lock around me, and she tugs herself closer, her lips now right above mine, but I quickly dip my head into the crook of her slender neck.
My cock swells as I bite at the softness there, and her head falls back, her hair grazing my arms wrapped tight around her frame.
I open my lips, sliding my tongue along her satin-like skin and a heavy groan escapes.
