She’s so fucking beautiful like this. I push myself up into a sitting position, my lips sucking a nipple into my mouth as she starts to tighten on me. I want this moment and any more we may have before I go home to be ingrained in my brain. Her arms wrap around my head, holding me to her breasts as she begins to come hard. Her arousal is practically gushing out of her.
Again I flip her, but this time I move her until she’s on all fours. I line myself up with her and thrust inside, deep and hard. Her head flies back and I swear she’s coming again as I begin to pound into her with a punishing pace. I feel the tingle right before I feel myself let go, planting myself deep and groaning against her sweat-coated skin. I pull out and miss her warmth already.
“I’ll be right back.” I kiss her back as she collapses into a little ball on the bed. After I finish cleaning myself up, I head back into the bedroom and find her fast asleep. I try not to wake her as I ease in beside her, smiling in the dark as she rolls to me and wraps her body around mine. I missed this, missed that no matter what, she’d wrap herself around me.
Before I let sleep claim me, I say a little prayer. I pray that whatever this is doesn’t break either one of us when I leave, because I will have to leave.
My eyes open; the sun is shining through the window and it’s almost blinding. I look down and smile because Ripley’s knocked out. After the first time we had sex last night, we fell asleep, and a while later I was woken up by Ripley sucking my cock. I pulled her off and somehow we ended up fuck-wrestling on the floor. She came again and again and when I finally did, I did so with a roar.
I brush the hair out of her face and stroke her cheek with my thumb. With age, she’s gotten even more beautiful, and I can hardly breathe when I look at her. I gently roll her and slide out of her bed, throwing my jeans on and heading into the bathroom. When I’m done, I see to making her coffee and breakfast in bed.
16
RIPLEY
Brock’s and Alex’s voices drift through the open kitchen window while I do dishes from dinner. These past three days have been amazing. Brock and Tiny have spent a lot of time with us. Every day, he’s had dinner with us or we’ve met for lunch. He didn’t sleep over, which was his choice, not mine, but I knew it made sense with Alex, especially since we really haven’t made plans for a future together. Also, with Alex home, there has been no sex. Yeah, we did it the first time with him sleeping upstairs, but that was one time and quick.
We’re getting to know each other again, and it’s been effortless. Of course there’s a gap between us, which is my fault. Seeing him and Alex together hurts more than he could ever possibly know. What will he do when he learns my son was conceived out of hate? I’m torn on what I should do, but I decide I’ll just have to worry about that when the time comes. After drying my hands off, I toss the towel on the counter then grab a couple bottles of water and step out back.
Brock is standing at the edge of the yard and Alex has his arm wrapped around his thighs. My heart starts beating wildly in my chest and my eyes turn glassy as I watch Brock reach out and rest his hand on Alex’s head while smiling down at him.
I wasn’t surprised last night when Brock told me he just recently broke things off with his girlfriend. It hurt a little, but I pushed that hurt back because it’s been six years and I couldn’t expect him to be celibate that whole time. Lord knows I wasn’t, but neither of us has loved someone else.
Stepping up to my guys, I wrap my arms around them both. Brock’s lips touch my forehead, and I want to melt into a puddle right now. “Do you guys want to get ice cream?”
Alex arches back and screams, “Yes!”
“Baby no screaming. Go wash your hands and we’ll go.” My son takes off into the house and Brock chuckles. I tilt my head back to look at him. “Is that okay? He’s gone a month without any accidents at night.”
We lock up then I grab Alex’s booster seat out of my car and take it to Brock’s truck. He takes it from me then lifts Alex and places him in it. He gives Tiny a boost and he saddles up right next to his buddy, resting his big head on Alex’s lap. I can only shake my head at their cuteness. Before I climb in, I grab my phone and snap a quick photo of them. I feel Brock’s hands on my waist as he says, “Let me help you in.” He even takes the time to buckle me in and then kisses my lips before shutting me in and walking around to his side.
Neither of us speaks on our way to Whiley’s, but that’s only because Alex is talking non-stop. Of course, it wasn’t to either of us—it was to Tiny.
“Tiny can you eat ice cream? I get ice cream ’cause I didn’t go potty in my bed at night. Now I get to wear big boy underwear like Uncle Jonah. Uncle Jonah says big boys stand up to pee, girls sit, and I’s not a girl because I have a penis.” I cover my mouth to choke back the laugh that wants to slip past my lips. Brock, on the other hand, doesn’t hide his, and I’m glad. It’s such a deep, rich sound, and it soothes my soul.
When we reach Whiley’s, I climb out while Brock comes around and gets Alex. Luckily there is an order window outside so we can bring Tiny up to the counter. I order three ice cream cones, but before I can pay, Brock is handing the girl his card. I give him an irritated look but keep my mouth shut. What does he do? He gives me that cocky grin I secretly love.
I take Tiny’s leash from Alex and hand him his cone. This dog is so smart and obedient that he comes over and sits right next to me. Brock hands me my cone and then brings two more over, holding one of them out to Tiny, who inhales it in two slurps. “Oh my God, he’s a pig.” I laugh. “Doesn’t he get brain freeze?”
“No, I swear he swallows the whole damn thing all at once.” Brock grabs Alex’s hand and we walk across the lot to a picnic table. The three of us sit on the bench side by side, with Alex tucked in between us. Alex holds up his cone and it’s starting to drip, so I take it from him and lick all around it to stop the ice cream from running down the side. I hand it back to him and find Brock staring at me with a heated look.
My cheeks heat up and I quickly look away, not missing his chuckle.
Brock comes walking quietly down the stairs after checking on Tiny and Alex, both of whom were passed out. I love that dog and how gentle he is with my son. It doesn’t matter how hard Alex plays with him—running back and forth in the yard, playing fetch, or running through the house—Tiny is extremely gentle and careful with Alex. When I tucked Alex in, Tiny was already getting settled next to his bed. I could tell Tiny really wanted to be in the bed with Alex, but unfortunately his racecar is just not big enough.
He comes and sits next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Are they both still asleep?”
“Yeah, poor Tiny really wants in that bed. Right now he’s asleep with just his head on the mattress. It looks fucking uncomfortable, but he wouldn’t move when I tried. He’ll move if he needs to.”
I lace my fingers with his and pull his hand to my mouth, kissing his palm. “When do you go back?” I’ve tried to avoid thinking about him leaving, but it’s always been there in the back of my mind.
A heavy sigh leaves his lips. “A week and a half. It takes two days to drive because of Tiny.”
Tears fill my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. “And you have to decide if you want to stay in longer or be discharged?”
“Yeah, and the more I’m away, the more I don’t really want to re-up, but I’m just not sure.”
My stomach sinks; I’m not enough of a reason for him to want to come back. God, that’s such a whiny bitch thing to feel, and it’s not like he’s promised me anything. When starting all this, I knew there was a strong chance he’d leave. I just need to guard my heart and keep it from getting broken, though who am I kidding—it’s probably going to happen anyway.
I wake up groggy and disoriented, and Brock is smiling down at me. “Nice nap?”
A huge yawn has my jaw making a cracking sound, and then I stretch my arms above my head. When I put my arms down, I catch him ogling my breasts and
I smack him in the chest. “Perv!”
Brock moves quick like a snake, and suddenly I’m on my back and he’s on top of me. He wiggles his eyebrows at me, making me laugh.
“Gross, you know I hate that.” Brock used to do that all the time when we were younger, and it always made him look like a creeper. He buries his face in my neck, kissing my skin softly. “Mmmm…” I moan before he moves his head so we’re eye to eye.
“I love your eyes,” he says quietly. “I love that your son has your eyes.”
I grab his face and pull him down until our lips meet. For so long, I dreamt of this, of Brock and me just like this. I need to stop thinking of what was; it’s not like we can go back in time and change things. I focus on the kiss, which ends way too fast for me.
“I should go before I break my own rule and take you upstairs.” He climbs off me and I don’t miss the erection straining against his basketball shorts. God, I was turned off from sex for a long time, but now I feel like a horny teenager.
He helps me stand up and hugs me to him. “Can I take Alex for a little bit tomorrow afternoon?”
My heart melts because he wants to spend time with my son. “Sure. He’s got preschool until eleven. I’ll let Mom know and she can meet you somewhere with him. You can keep him however long you want.” I close my eyes. “God, that sounds terrible. I mean, you just met him, but honestly there is no one on this planet that I’d trust more with my son.”
He grabs my shoulders in an almost punishing grip. I look up at him and wonder if he’s angry. “You don’t know what it means to hear you say that. He’s protected when he’s with me, that’s a promise.”
“I know.” That’s all I say, because I truly don’t need to say anything more. We walk to the door and I am so tempted to ask him to stay, just so he can hold me. I sleep better when he holds me.
He kisses me slowly before his eyes pop open. “Shit, I almost forgot my dog.” I turn my head and cough, trying to cover up my laugh.
Brock tickles my side. “Oh you think that’s funny, do you brat?” He moves to stand at the bottom of the stairs and gives a low whistle. Seconds later Tiny comes slowly down the stairs, and if it’s possible for a dog to look grumpy, then that is what I would say is wrong with Tiny. He completely ignores Brock but comes over to me, butting his head against my hip.
“Oh you big baby. You’ll get to see your buddy tomorrow.” He snorts and then looks up at me. “You’re so stinking cute, you big moose.” I kiss the gorgeous dog’s head and then Brock one more time before watching them disappear outside. I lock up then head upstairs, smiling widely the whole time.
17
BROCK
As I drive down Ripley’s mom’s street, Ripley’s words from last night replay in my head. I’m extremely humbled by the fact that she didn’t even hesitate when I asked if I could take her son, that she trusts me with him. I pull into the driveway and before I reach the front door, her mom is opening it. “Hi Brock. Someone is very excited about spending the afternoon with you. Come on in.”
I step inside and it’s déjà vu. Nothing has changed except for a few pieces of furniture, and there’s a whole wall covered with pictures of Alex. When Rip and I were together before, I spent more time here then I did my parents’ home. Of course, who could blame me when choosing between staying home and watching my mom cater to that piece of shit or coming here where Rip’s dad was always hugging her mom and touching her lovingly.
We had so many laughs here, and they never once made me feel unwelcome, even after we came clean about having sex. Instead of yelling, her dad walked me out back where we talked man to man about being responsible and making sure Ripley was always protected. I had been sure it was to kill me and bury me under the oak tree in their back yard, but thankfully, it wasn’t.
“Brock!” Alex comes tearing down the hall, barreling right toward me. He launches himself at me and I bend down to catch him. I relish the feel of his skinny arms wrapping around my neck and squeezing me tight. “What are we doing?”
“I thought you might want to help me give Tiny a bath.”
Mrs. Brown speaks up. “Aww…what kind of dog is Tiny?”
“He’s a large Great Dane, Mrs. Brown.” I chuckle at her wide-eyed expression.
She places her hand on my arm. “You don’t have to be so formal. You can call me Margo.”
“Okay, thanks…Margo.” She excuses herself, saying she’s going to get Alex’s backpack. “So what do you say Alex, can you help me give him a bath?”
He looks at me with a serious expression on his face. “Yes. He’s my best friend so he won’t mind if I do it.” Alex is very matter-of-fact and it cracks me up.
Margo returns with a little backpack that has puppies wearing hats all over it. “He’s had lunch and a nap so he should be good to go. Alexander, you be a good boy for Brock. Use your manners and listen when he tells you things.”
I set him down and he runs to his grandma to hug her tight. “I will. I promise.” He comes back to me and grabs my hand. “Let’s go, Tiny’s waiting for me.”
“Okay bud, let’s get out of here.” I turn to say goodbye to Margo and see her eyes are bright like she’s going to cry. “Thanks Margo.” I reach out and grab her hand, giving it a squeeze to convey that everything is all good.
“You boys have fun.” Her voice cracks but she pushes through and gives us a smile.
On the way out to my truck, I grab his booster seat and get them both buckled in. He chatters happily in the back seat, talking so fast that all I catch are the names Mommy, Uncle Jonah, You, and Tiny. “Then I get to wear a penguin suit and walk Mommy down the aisle. She’s Uncle Jonah’s best girl!”
Ripley mentioned that Jonah was getting married in a couple of weeks. She asked me to be her and Alex’s date, but I’ll be back in North Carolina because the following week I have to go in and sign my re-up papers—if I sign them. Talk about shit timing; spending the night dancing with her and hanging with Alex sounds like an amazing time.
When we reach my grandparents’ house, I grab him out of the back and carry him inside. Tiny comes barreling into the living room, somehow halting his huge body just before reaching Alex. Of course, the kid doesn’t care and throws his arms around Tiny’s neck. “I’ve missed you Tiny!” he practically screeches.
My granddad comes into living room a moment later. “Well hello Mr. Alex. Tiny has been waiting for you to get here. I bought him a new rope toy, should we take it out back?” My granddad holds his hand out to Alex and I follow the three of them out into the yard.
Back and forth, they run and run, and I stand at the bottom of the stairs next to my granddad, watching. Tiny has a look of pure joy on his face—how I can tell, I don’t know, but I just can—and Alex is smiling wide as he tosses the rope toy for Tiny to fetch.
“He is such an adorable little boy. Where’s his father?”
I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about it. I don’t think he’s involved, which I can’t understand, because who wouldn’t want to be in this child’s life?” Alex runs to me and stops right in front of me.
“Brock can we gib Tiny his bath now? He’s bery bery dirty.” How can I tell him no when he looks at me with those eyes that are so like his mother’s?
“Yeah we can give him his bath. You stay out here with my grandpa and Tiny while I get everything ready, okay? After we’re done, we can take him for a walk.”
Alex pumps his little fists in the air before he takes off running again. “That boy does not seem to slow down.” My eyes follow him as he runs back and forth.
“You were the same way, always into stuff, always busy. Even now, don’t think I I’ve missed that you don’t sit still for very long.” That’s true, except when I hold Ripley in my arms.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and shoot her a quick text.
Brock: Hey just wanted to check in and tell you that Alex is running around the back yard with Tiny and we’
re getting ready to give him a bath.
It takes a few minutes before she responds.
Ripley: Awww, that’s great. I have a question.
Brock: Shoot
Ripley: Jonah invited us over for dinner tonight and I wanted to see if you’d like to come with us.
The guy has clearly changed since school and I have a lot of respect for him, taking care of Ripley and then Alex the way he has.
Brock: Sure. Why don’t you text me when you get home and we’ll come by and scoop you up.
Ripley: Okay that sounds like a plan. You boys have fun.
I set my phone in the house so I don’t get it wet and grab the dog’s shampoo and brush. Then I go to the garage to get the baby pool I bought to bathe him in, drag it all to the back yard, and then grab the hose. The day is hot and humid, which isn’t uncommon for a Midwestern summer, but considering I’ve dealt with much worse conditions, this is nothing.
After filling the bottom of the pool with water, I call Alex over. “Bud, I need your help. Can you take your shoes off for me?” He kicks off his little sandals. “Okay, do you want to be in the pool or hold the hose?”
“Pool!” I chuckle. I pick him up and place him in the pool, and Tiny jumps in right behind him. “Okay, I need you to take this glass and fill it with water then pour it all over Tiny. Can you do that?”
Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection Page 48