Page 84 of Sterling Fight

“Firefly,” I whisper, feeling my shoulders relax, the tension seeping from my limbs.

“It’s a limerick, almost. In honor of your mother.” Genie watches me a second. “Don’t make her into a ghost haunting you, baby. She’s an angel. That’s what I tell myself about my father.”

Other than her story about her father and the gravy boat, Genie doesn’t mention him much.

“Tell me more about your dad.” Still holding her hand, I squeeze her fingers. Genie only jostles my arm and shakes her head, dismissing that conversation.

“As for your father.” She sighs. “Don’t let him win, Judd. You are not him. Or anything he said you were. Or whatever it is about him that keeps you to yourself.”

In my home. Separated from my family. Afraid to love.

I nod, hearing what she’s saying but not ready to process it. Between Stone and Genie, I’m all over the place.

“Let’s think about something else today.” Mother’s Day be damned.

“What would you like to think about?”

“You.” I narrow in on Genie’s face. The pertness of her nose. The sweet puff of her lips. The gleam in her eyes.

“What about me?” she asks, her face blushing sweetly.

“Honestly?” I arch a brow as my thoughts rapidly shift to something dirty that will instantly change my mood.

“Of course.”

“I want to go down on you.”

“What?” Genie chokes, the atmosphere of the room going from depressing to desperate. My mouth is already watering at the idea of tasting her sweetness. Hearing her moans. Feeling her tug my hair as she loses control.

“You consume my thoughts, firefly. Your scent. Your sounds. The taste of you.” And I want to get lost in the reality of her body, not just the fantasies in my head.

“Judd.” Genie fans her face, signaling I need to stop talking, but I have more instructions to give.

“Lock the door, firefly,” I say, jackknifing up on the bed and removing my glasses. “Then I want you to sit on my face.” I want to feel the weight of her around me. Be smothered in her fragrance. Taste all her essence.

“Here? Now?” Genie chokes on a laugh while I lay back down, placing my hands behind my head.

“I’ve never had sex in this room.” Never kissed a girl in here either. The only girl who’s been present was Genie Webster in my head with fantasies of doing just what I’m asking of her.

“Judd Sylver, as tempting as you are, I am not sitting on your face with your family downstairs.” Her tone is stern but laced with strangled laughter

I pout. “How would you feel about making out?” Maybe I can live out at least one fantasy. All those nights dreaming of sharing a bed with Genie, kissing her dizzy.

“Ever do that in this room as a boy?”

“Never.” The honesty seeps out with my exhale.

“So, this would be a first?” Genie tips her head, teasing me.

“Only ever fantasized about you in this room with me,” I admit, staring directly at her. She’s been many firsts for me.

My girl is suddenly crossing the room and locking the door, then climbing onto the bed, curling up next to me and letting me kiss her until we’re both dizzy.

And all the ghosts disappear.

29

[Genie]