“Let’s take a quick shower and veg on the couch,” he says, rising from the couch, carrying me with him.
“I love you, Harley Blackwood,” I say, and he kisses me. I feel him harden beneath me. I have my third orgasm after Harley fucks me hardagainst the shower wall. He makes all my previous sexual encounters seem so vanilla. All the cliche “hot” sex I see on TV that used to make me roll my eyes; he brings that to life for me. I’m insatiable when it comes to him, and I can tell that I’m not just a quick fuck for him. I see the need and want for me in his eyes.
After my third orgasm, I am officially wiped out. After a quick body wash, I hop out of the shower and throw some leggings on. I’m standing there in my leggings and no top, searching for a sports bra, when Harley gets out of the shower and begins drying his hair off with the towel, then wraps it around his waist, tucking it in. I hear a whistle, and I crack a smile and look over my shoulder at him.
“I know we were going to veg, but I want to check on Rawley,” I tell him. Ever since Dean mentioned him attempting to pick him up on the road, my mind has wandered back to him. I don’t even really know what to say, but I need to see that he’s okay.
“Maybe we should wait until the bruises are healed a little more?” Harley offers.
Shit. I didn’t even think of that.
“I can use my heavy-duty concealer,” I tell him. “I need to lay eyes on him.” After I’ve thrown on a tank top and zip-up sweatshirt, I head into the bathroom. When I look up from washing my face, Harley stands behind me and rests his hands on my hips.
“You’re so beautiful, Ember.” He kisses my head and walks out.
My face is still tender, so I lightly apply my moisturizer and primer. Then I get to work trying to conceal the damage. After half an hour, I emerge from the bedroom. “How is this? Everything covered?” I ask Harley.
“You look perfect, and you can’t see any discoloration,” he says witha small smile.
“I’m going to shoot Charlee a text, just to be sure it’s okay if we stop by.” I plop down next to him.
Is it okay if I stop by, just to lay eyes on Rawley?
CHARLEE
Ember! Are you okay???
I’m okay. Sore, but I covered everything to make sure I don’t scare him.
CHARLEE
Don’t even sweat it, babe. Come on over.
We’ll head over shortly. Thank you, Charlee.
I never would have imagined my biological child’s adopted mother would become someone I consider a friend. Someone who cares about me. My eyes sting, and we sit there, watching Kitchen Nightmares, justbeing.
Finally, I wipe my eyes. “Charlee said we’re good to go.” I pat Harley’s arm and stand up, heading to the closet beside the front door.
“I want to make one stop first, if that’s okay?” Harley says, following me to the door and zipping up my jacket for me. I cock my head at him, wondering where he’d need to stop, and he just meets me with a smile and a forehead kiss before leading me out the door.
We end up stopping at Best Buy, and Harley picks up the game that Rawley had mentioned the first time I met him.
“Thank you,” I tell him as I lean my head into his shoulder, holding his hand.
“Of course, princess,” he says and as we move up to the checkout.
We load back into the car, and I take the bag from Harley. I stare at the game in my hands. “This feels like an alternate universe. Like I never gave him up, and we’re his loving parents, taking him somethinghe’s been working hard for.” I smile to myself and Harley reaches over, placing his hand over my thigh and heading towards Charlee and Rawley’s house.
When we pull into the driveway, I feel overwhelmed with emotion. I start hyperventilating, and Harley rubs my shoulders. “Deep breaths, baby. Deep breaths.” He alternates between rubbing my shoulders and holding his hand over my heart, trying to ground me. I start to settle, but Harley asks if I need to do the 5-4-3-2-1 trick.
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” I grip his hand, the one still pressed to my chest, tightly.
“You don’t have to tell him anything, babe. We can be the cool “adopted” Aunt and Uncle, bringing him shit he wants without his parents permission.” Harley attempts to soothe me. I laugh at the irony, and squeeze his hand.
We climb out of the car and make our way to the door. Before I can knock, Charlee opens the door and gives me a big smile, her eyes sad. We follow her into the living room. As we walk down the hallway, I take in the photos lining the walls.
At the entrance of the hallway, I see photos of Rawley as a baby, starting from the day they brought him home from the hospital. My heart explodes, and I cover my mouth, emotion overcoming me. Harley and Charlee make it to the living room, leaving me by myself.
