Page 81 of Road to Absolution

“Please. Your daughter is already high maintenance.”

Back out of bed and opening the fridge, I asked, “You do know who her aunt is, right? Vixen? She must get it from her.”

“Oh, Viola,” she rolled to her side to watch me. “I need to call her. Tell her we’re alive still.”

With a banana and water in hand, I crawled back into bed. “Those two are probably still sleeping, too. They looked as wiped as you.” I gave her the water and started peeling the banana. About to take a bite, I noticed my gremlin staring. “You want some?” I tilted it to her.

This woman.

I swear.

Keeping eye contact with me, she parted those luscious fucking lips and took over half my banana in her mouth. Slowly, she pulled her mouth back, then moaned, her eyes sliding shut as she took the most seductive bite known to man.

Gawking, and instantly rock hard, I tried to swallow the saliva pooling in my mouth.

Licking her lips, she said, “That banana isn’t hitting the spot.”

Entranced by her mouth, I flung the fruit over my shoulder. “Do you, uh, want an apple?”

Flirting, she shook her head.

Swallow. “Ham sandwich?”

She shook her head then slid out of bed.

As she carefully knelt to the floor, she crooked her finger, beckoning me.

Slithering to follow, I asked, “Babe, is this okay? I-I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’re big, but not that big,” she teased. “The baby will be fine.”

“Smartass. I meant you being out of bed.”

“On the floor. In a bed. Is there really a difference?” She made room for me to stand in front of her.

“If it means your health, fuck yeah.”

She sighed. “God, I love you.” Then she grinned. “Pants down please.”

Standing in front of her, insecurity showed its ugly face again.

When she noticed me hesitating, doe eyes peered up at me. “You don’t want me to?”

“What? Are you nuts? Hell yeah, I just… I just, umm.”

“Maverick, I’ve seen your legs when they looked irreparable. Now, to me, they look like a blessed victory.”

I sat at the edge of the bed. “Do you mean that?”

“With my whole heart.” She kissed each clothed inner thigh. “They survived. These legs are warriors.” She gazed up at me. “Like the man I love.”

After an emotional pause, I warned, “Babe, if you make me cry, I’ll lose my hard-on.”

She nuzzled her face to my boner. “Don’t do that then.” Slowly, fingers slipped under the elastic band of my jogging pants, then they paused, “Can I?”

It seemed like a no-brainer, but my brain struggled. No, my ego struggled.

Scared of being less than what I was, I nodded.