With a shout of glee, she raced inside ahead of us, saying good morning to Igor and Elenor.
“Take my cock! Take my cock!” Igor replied. Solace and I winced.
“Daddy,” Penelope called, confused. “What’s a cock?”
“A boy chicken, sweetie,” Solace answered, then turned to me. “It’s your fault,” he accused in a hushed tone. “Always wanting me to take your cock.”
“Only because you take it so good, beautiful.” I swatted his ass as we went inside, then I made the biggest stack of pancakes ever, topping it with birthday candles. The party didn’t stop there. More people joined as the day progressed, and by the end of the evening, Jasper had to carry her exhausted, snoring body to the car. We sent Pete and the puppies home with them too.
We cleaned the house, showered, then slipped into bed, both too tired to hold me to my promise.
“We’ve got the whole weekend,” Solace said, yawning as he rested his head on my chest.
“I’ll make up for it tomorrow,” I replied, stifling my own yawn.
He peered up at me then, tiredness and a burning need for answers flashing in his eyes. “How much do you remember?” he asked, sounding tentative, as if afraid the question might feel like pressure.
“A few things,” I said vaguely. “We can talk about that tomorrow too.” We’d eat s’mores by the fire pit, serve each other adjectives, and see who could win a game of fast-talk. We’d reminisce. We’d relive every moment that had returned to me today.
“Okay. Tomorrow,” he agreed, still watching me, still waiting. He inched higher until our mouths were lined up, but he didn’t kiss me. He needed something else from me first. In a voice that sounded almost like a desperate plea, he whispered, “You belong to me.”
Solace spoke those words often. Every night, in fact, without fail. And I always repeated the sentiment verbatim. I hadn’t realized I’d been getting it wrong until today. Hadn’t realized it was more than a claim, it was a ritual. I hadn’t remembered.
He’d never told me. Likely waiting… Likelyprayingfor this moment.
“You belong to me,” he said again with less hesitancy and more fire. This time I’d get it right.
I slid my hand along his neck, cupping his nape possessively before growling, “And you are mine.”
The End
