Page 81 of Silver Player

My hand slips under her skin, blindly finding her clit with my thumb, and she breaks as she does. Her mouth falls open, and her body stills, but her channel clenches around me, setting me off. I thrust upward, absorbing the friction, and find my own release, pulsing deep within her.

“Fuck,” I growl as my fingers dig into her hip and my eyes close, the jetting off within her like an endless stream. Thank goodness for the condom. Eventually, I settle, and when my eyes open, I find Roxie watching me. A small smile graces my lips.

“So…Friday?” I tease before releasing her from my lap.

“Is that a scheduled booty call?” she mocks.

“Nope, it’s a date.”

30

Questions

[Roxanne]

Sadie working for Billy means he won’t come to dinner as often as he did because his daughter will already be at his place of employment, where they serve food and can spend time together. These are the little things I’ll need to get used to as time passes. Sadie will spend more time with him, and him alone. And I’ll be back to who I was before her presence in my life every day. Alone myself.

Sadie’s apprehension the first afternoon is real, and while I want to stay away, told myself they needed space, I decide to break one of my unwritten rules and eat at the pub, hoping it will give Sadie silent support.

I’m here for you.

Clyde comes to my table even though he’s the bartender and not a waiter. “What can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll just have a Moscato, please.”

He smiles and then helps himself to the seat opposite me. “Come to see how it goes?” He tips a brow and lowers his head. “When you spy on someone, you should really be incognito.”

Poor Clyde. He reads too many adult comic books. Rapping his thick knuckles on the tabletop, he excuses himself to get my drink.

I’m not spying. Well, okay, maybe a little bit, but Sadie doesn’t notice me as Billy walks her around the room, showing her the ropes. He also introduces her to enough people that the crowd takes the news and spreads it to the rest.

“Billy Harrington has a daughter?”

“That the girl?”

“Who’s the mother?”

Ah, Theresa. This isn’t how she saw it happening. Then again, she hoped Sadie would never know. When the time is right, my sister would say. I guess this is the time, and I watch Sadie move about the room looking up to Billy for reassurance with each order or maybe it’s the introductions. Whatever he’s saying, she slowly grins as he puts his hands on her shoulders when he talks to his customers.

She can’t legally serve alcohol or be in the bar past a certain hour, but a short three-to-seven shift a few nights a week won’t hurt. Maybe she’ll stop running to the cemetery.

Clyde returns with my wine, and I slowly sip while I peruse the menu.

“Hello. My name’s Sadie, I’m his daughter. Can I take your order, or do you need another minute? I recommend the pub burger. It’s delicious.”

Sadie’s face glows as she announces everything, her tone a little brighter than the melancholy teen she’s become. Her dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail, accentuating the paleness of her skin, but the makeup around her eyes is a little less thick and her mouth holds a deep red color instead of black.

Billy stands behind her, shaking his head with a smirk on his lips.

“Wow,” I say. I’m not certain she took a breath in her introduction. She exhales, and Billy chuckles. “Since it comes as a recommendation, one pub burger please with fries.”

Sadie writes on an order pad and then taps the pen to click. “Got it. I’ll go put the order in.” She walks off, and Billy slips into the booth for a second.

“That isn’t really how she’s introducing herself around the bar,” he says as something in my face must ask for clarification. “She’s amazing, though.”

Amazing.

He’s beaming himself, and his eyes spark with pride. This could have all gone poorly, but whatever he’s doing, she’s accepting. He doesn’t seem as anxious as I thought he would. These are good signs, good for Sadie.