Page 38 of Parentmoon

My son deserves happiness, even if I never fully had it. I worry that he comes from a long line of disappointing marriages. My parents. My own. Maybe Fate cut him off before such an unhappy circumstance happened to him, but I don’t believe it. There must be a reason for Michael and Keli’s split. Not loving each other wasn’t what Michael said.

A difference of opinion.

Can’t differences be set aside? Not every opinion needs to be agreed upon. What could have possibly been so dividing that it split Michael and Keli?

I need a concrete answer. I need to understand. The happiness of my child is on the line here.

These thoughts wrestle inside me when I near the dining area for breakfast with only ten minutes remaining before their final service. When Artie and Ira call me over to sit with them, I don’t want to be rude, so I join them and accept that this entire day is a wash.

My mood is a rain cloud entering a sunny day.

+ + +

The bar doesn’t open until three so I have hours to wait before I can have my first rum punch. When I learn a few of the fishing boats will be arriving late, I have a second drink before Dallas returns.

The moment he sees me, he beelines for the rod holder, setting down his fishing pole and coming for me like a man on a mission. He leans over me, and despite everyone else present near the pool, he kisses me. Open mouth. Full tongue. Public and claiming.

“What was that?” I murmur against his lips, trying to settle him, trying to calm my ratcheted pulse.

“I missed you today.”

The words surprise me while having a strange effect. A collision of sweetness balm and sudden arousal occurs.

Dallas’s eyes search mine. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. He doesn’t want to hear about my bad mood which has dissipated throughout the day. It’s silly to be worked up over a phone call or a situation I can’t control. Still, isn’t that the issue? My mother can wind me up and my son can take me down, and I’m the one who allows these things to happen to myself.

Despite the dismissal, Dallas takes my hand and tugs me up from the chair. He flips my pool towel over his shoulder and reaches for my bag, handing it to me. I don’t have time to bother with my cover-up before he’s tugging me behind him. He isn’t pulling my arm from the socket, but he’s encouraging me to move faster.

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask. He has something on his mind.

“That’s what I asked you.” He glances quickly over his shoulder. His tone isn’t rough but rugged, as if he asked me a question and didn’t like my answer.

“I’m just out of sorts.” I shrug my shoulder which he doesn’t see as he’s facing forward again, leading me onward toward the house.

We enter through the sliding glass door and once the door is locked, Dallas is on me. Hands in hair. Mouth on mouth. I drop my bag. He drops his backpack. My thoughts scatter.

He kisses me like he hasn’t seen me in months, not the absence of a few hours. While I’m enjoying his eagerness, it’s a bit disconcerting. What is happening? What’s going on with him? Why does he make me feel this sudden urge to be as close to him as I can?

I could get used to this kind of greeting. I could want him every day of my life.

Dallas is moving us, while continuing to kiss, and suddenly my back is to the peninsula counter. He lifts me and I squeak at the cool surface against my bare legs.

“Let’s sort you out.”

“I’m all sweaty.” I’ve been in the sun all day. Heat and chlorine permeate my skin.

“Don’t care.” He’s already working his belt and unbuttoning his pants. “I’ve been thinking about you since this morning.”

Within seconds, he’s tugging at the bottoms of my bathing suit and bringing my ass to the edge of the counter. “Lay back.”

His hand presses on my belly and I fold to my elbows before resting flat on the countertop. Lifting only my head, I watch as Dallas pulls his heavy length from his pants and swipes the tip up and down my already wet folds.

“Dallas?” I’m confused while turned on by our position.

“Want to be inside you.”

I lower my head and stare up at the ceiling. He feels so good stroking over my clit with the thick head of his cock.