Absolution

by Reana Malori

  “Mommy.”

  They both heard the sound and pulled apart as if scalded by fire. Morgan was still lying down in the other room but had called out for Kori. Maybe it was a good thing he did. Another few seconds and Julian would have been balls deep inside Kori, fucking her to within an inch of her life. Adjusting himself, he motioned toward the room where Morgan lay. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll make lunch. You go ahead and check on the little guy.”

  “I’m sorry, Julian.”

  He could tell she was worried about his reaction to their sexual play being interrupted. Yes, he was a man, but he wasn’t an asshole. At least, most of the time. This was life when dating a single mom. He knew that. Accepted it. That just meant they’d have to be more creative when it came to their private time. He was all for that. This wasn’t a big deal. Not for him anyway. “Don’t be sorry, Kori. I’m not going anywhere. Go handle your business, just come back to me when you’re finished.”

  Her eyes widened, and a broad smile came over her face. “Yeah, I think I like you.”

  “Nah, baby. You don’t think you do. You know it for a fact.” He watched her turn and walk into the other room to check on her son. After that kiss, he knew their attraction to each was real. There was no way he could walk away from her now. Hell, maybe not ever.

  FOUR

  Julian

  The next morning, Julian was at the court playing basketball with some of his friends. They usually met up once every couple of weeks for some laughs, competition, and exercise. He’d prefer to be with Kori and Morgan right now, but the Saturday games were a standing appointment. If he missed this, it would cause more questions than he wanted to answer right now.

  Glancing over at the digital clock on the wall, he noted that it was just before noon. He’d texted Kori earlier that morning when he woke up but hadn’t yet heard from her. It wasn’t that she needed to answer his messages immediately, but it did bother him that it had been hours since his last message to her and no response.

  When he’d left Kori’s home after dinner and returned to his townhouse, sleep eluded him the entire night. His every thought was filled with Kori. If he had his wish, he’d be back at her place, in bed with her, sinking his thick cock inside her warm pussy. Thoughts ran through his mind as he questioned if they were safe and sound. He wondered if Kori was thinking of him also. Was she having a hard time alone as she took care of her son on her own? Did she miss him as much as he missed her? His dreams were filled with visions of his mouth pressed against hers as he pressed his body against her soft curves. He’d woken up with her name on his lips and a hard dick in his hand. He wanted to stop by her house this morning before he came to the gym but didn’t want to appear like a stalker. Although everything in him wanted to be by her side, he knew that would be asking too much of her. Doing the only thing he could, he kept going, and drove to the gym to meet up with his buddies.

  Back in the game, Julian can’t help but be distracted by his thoughts of Kori, and he wasn’t really paying attention to the game. When Adam threw the ball to him, expecting Julian to charge the basket, he missed the cue, and it went out of bounds. Julian was off that day. He shouldn’t even be here. His head wasn’t in the game today. Literally.

  “What the fuck, Julian?” Adam called out to him in frustration. Another teammate shook his head as he moved into position against the other team. “I’m not losing to these knuckleheads again.”

  “Whatever, man. Time!” Julian put his hands up in a “T” motion and began walking off the court. “Hey, Marcus. Can you go in for me? I’m done, man.”

  “Yeah. I got you.” Marcus was another guy from their fire station who came out to the games. He’d been doing interval drills on the side of the court but hopped up and ran over to join the game when Julian called out to him.

  Walking over to the bench situated against the wall, Julian grabbed up his phone before sitting down. Unlocking the screen, he looked for any new messages from Kori. There weren’t any. He released a deep breath. It had only been a week and a half since he’d met her. But during that time, she’d come to mean so much to him. Hearing her voice before he went to sleep each night became a requirement. Seeing her face was the balm he needed at night to soothe his soul after a long day of accidents and emergency calls. Placing his head back against the wall, he closed his eyes and thought of Kori’s beautiful face.

  Why hadn’t she texted him back?

  After a few minutes, he could hear the guys calling for a break. Although they liked to think they were still teenagers with unlimited energy, they weren’t. Lifting his head, he opened his eyes and saw his brother Steven walking over to him. Julian released a deep sigh because he knew what was about to happen. Younger brothers were nosey as hell, especially his.

  “Hey, J.” He greeted before grabbing a bottle of water from Julian’s bag. Being the big brother and an EMT, it was just a habit for him to think of those things. He’d been looking after his little brother since the day Steven was born, when Julian was only four years old. Once a big brother, always a big brother. Just because Steven carried a gun all day didn’t mean Julian would be stopping anytime soon. In fact, Julian’s SIG Sauer P226 was bigger than Steven’s Glock 22, he just didn’t carry his weapon on his hip each day.

  He looked over at his brother and saw that probing look in his eyes. The one he got whenever he wanted to poke and prod at Julian about things Julian was sure he wouldn’t appreciate. “Don’t start, Steven.”

  Raising his hands, his younger brother smirked. “What? I’m just wondering what’s going on with you lately. I mean, you’re hardly at home anymore.” Julian was about to ask him how the hell he knew that when Steven held up his hand. “Trust me. I’ve driven by your place a few times. You’re never there, even on the nights you’re not on duty at the station.”

  Julian shrugged his shoulders before turning away from Steven. “I’ve been busy,” he grumbled. Not quite ready to share Kori and Morgan with anyone, he held back saying anything further. If he tried to explain what he was feeling inside for the two of them, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to explain it. None of it made sense, but that didn’t stop him from feeling the way he did. They were his. They belonged to him. All he needed was a bit more time to have them to himself before he introduced them to his world.

  “Busy with what? Are you going to tell me what’s going on? This isn’t like you, J. Listen man, I know you had to deal with your own shit after what happened with your ex-girlfriend. I get it. Mom and Dad get it.” Julian scoffed, and Steven smiled in return. “Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe, but you know how they are. They just worry about you.”

  “You’re the cop. They should be worrying about you instead.”

  Shaking his head, Steven nodded. “Yeah, they do that, too. You don’t think I get my fair share of bullshit? Do you know Dad still texts me every day to ask how my shift was, and if I’m okay? You’re not the only one who gets their special brand of parenting.”

  Julian glanced at Steven and nodded. He worried about his brother, as well. Some people in this world would target him simply because he wore a badge every day. Julian had the easy job, and there were days he felt he was in a living hell with some of the shit he saw. Just thinking about what Steven had to deal with every day made his heart clench in fear. If something happened to his brother, Julian wouldn’t be able to recover. The downward spiral he went through a few years ago would feel like a damn vacation. Nothing would prevent him from getting vengeance on the person who dared hurt his brother. He just hoped that day never came.

  “There’s no need for them to worry about me. I keep telling them I’m okay. I’m over that shit, and I’m never going back to that headspace again.” He took a deep swallow of water. Just thinking about what he’d gone through and the things he’d been willing to sacrifice for someone who never would have appreciated what he would have done for her.

  He was tired of questioning his feeling
s for Kori. It didn’t matter how long they’d known each other or how they met. She was part of his life now; it was all that mattered. Her and Morgan. Of course, he knew it was best to keep himself separated from the patients, those he helped when out on calls. It was a dangerous thing for people in his position, and Julian knew this firsthand. He’d been broken by it, and it had taken him years to come back to himself.

  Julian also knew in his heart that Kori was made for him. The things he felt for her were nothing like that situation before. It didn’t feel like the nervous, scared energy that flowed through him years ago. This time, all he felt was a calmness in his soul. Peace. The need to protect her was his primary thought. His desire to make love to her filled his waking moments and sleepless nights.

  “Okay, if you say so. Just…” Steven paused, giving Julian a serious look, “be careful. If you need me to run interference with Mom and Dad, just let me know.”

  Nodding, Julian accepted what his brother was telling him. His family’s concern for him was fully warranted. They knew it, and so did he. It was just that Julian didn’t want to have that hovering over his head anymore. “Yeah, I will. This—This is different than before.”

  “Okay. If you say so,” Steven repeated.

  “I do say so.” Just then, his phone vibrated with an incoming text. A smile came on his face as he read her message.

  Kori – Hey. Sorry for replying so late. Put my phone away when Janice stopped by.

  Kori – I know it’s short notice, but would you like to come over for lunch?

  It was what Julian had been waiting for all morning. His fingers flew over his phone screen as he responded to her question.

  Julian – Never apologize. Yes, I’d love to come over for lunch. When do you want me there?

  Her reply was almost immediate.

  Kori – As soon as you can get here. I was hoping you’d say yes, so already prepping food. See you soon.

  “What’re you smiling about? Who’re you talking to?” Steven leaned over, trying to get a glimpse of the telephone screen.

  “Nunya. Mind your business, little brother,” he quipped. “Alright, I’m outta here. Something important I gotta go do.” Julian stood from the bench and pulled another bottle of water from his bag. Throwing it at his brother, he zipped the bag before hoisting it over his shoulder.

  “What the hell? You’re leaving the game?” Steven called out to him just as the guys moved back to the court to start again.

  “Yup.” He threw up a two-finger salute. “Talk later?”

  Shaking his head, Steven got up from the bench, a look of confusion on his face as he stared at Julian. “Yeah. Call me tomorrow.”

  Halfway out the door, Julian didn’t respond. He just kept walking, planning how much time it would take him to get across town to Kori’s house.

  FIVE

  Kori

  Sitting on the couch next to Julian later that night, Kori couldn’t believe they were sitting here together. It was unlike her to make the first move with a guy, but she wasn’t going to miss her chance with Julian. Inviting him to spend the day with her and Morgan had been a stroke of genius, and the day had been almost perfect.

  When he’d arrived earlier, only an hour had passed since he’d texted her that he was on the way. Opening the door to him standing on her porch, her mouth went dry at the sight of him. Whenever he focused all his attention on her, she felt like prey trapped in the line of sight of a natural predator. Not the kind of predator that would do her harm. Oh no. Kori knew she’d enjoy every single moment of being eaten by him. As she’d stared at him, his lips had lifted in that panty-dropping smile she loved so much. His hands clutched a handful of roses, and a bag from the local toy store hung from his thick fingers. Smiling, she knew he’d stopped to grab a gift for Morgan, which he often did.

  “Hey, Beautiful.”

  “Hi, Julian.” Kori stepped back and opened the door wider for him to enter. “You don’t have to keep buying him gifts.”

  Stepping over the threshold, he laughed. “I like to see him smile.” He held out the flowers to her. “These are for you.”

  If she had lighter skin, her face would be flaming red right now. Her hands grabbed onto the bundle. “Thank you, Julian. You didn’t have to bring me flowers.”

  “But I did.” Julian leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

  His touch felt so good. It took everything Kori had to not moan out loud. When he pulled back, she wanted to drop the flowers, grab his shirt, and pull him back in. Her core pulsed with need and desire. It had been years since she desired someone this much. At least, not since Morgan’s father. He’d been the love of her life, and when he died, Morgan was her only reason for continuing to live each day. When he’d touched her, her body would go up in flames. After he was gone, nothing—and no one—had made her feel that way again.

  Until Julian.

  A loud sound came from the television, jarring her out of her silent musings. Her gaze slid to the man relaxing next to her. His feet were propped on the living room table, his hands folded over his flat stomach, and a smile hovered on his lips as he laughed at the scene playing out on the flat screen.

  Kori wasn’t ashamed to admit that her need for Julian grew more each day. A little less than two weeks after that fateful day, Kori craved anything and everything he had to give. She was tired of waiting for him to make a move, especially when she knew it was what they both desired. If he didn’t do something soon, she’d take matters into her own hands. Smiling to herself, she wondered what his reaction would be if she were to climb on his lap and take those beautiful, pink lips in a kiss.

  When he’d left her home last night, she had the urge to call him back and beg him to stay with her for the night. Give them more time together and allow things to go where they should. As he walked out the door, leaving her pulsing with need, she’d almost whimpered in pain. Her feet itched to run after him, her arms ached to wrap around his muscular body, and her sex wept with the desire to have him fill her up. But she didn’t. She let him go without saying another word because that’s what he seemed to want, and who was she stop him? Even after everything that happened, she was still worried about appearing desperate or needy for a man. Especially with Morgan in the back room.

  He glanced over at her, his cerulean gaze capturing hers. “You okay?”

  Kori smiled at the realization that he did that often. Checked in with her. Made sure she was okay, that she and Morgan didn’t skip meals, or that she didn’t overexert herself. Even though they hadn’t put a name on what was going on between them, he never failed to do what he felt was needed to take care of them. She nodded in response to his question, “I’m good. Just enjoying the moment.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yeah. I’m glad you’re here tonight.” She turned her body, positioning it toward him. “I don’t know what it is about you. Having you here with me and Morgan feels right. With everything going on, it’s nice to have you sitting here with me.”

  “There’s no place else I’d rather be. You know that, right?”

  Her eyes went wide at his declaration. No, she didn’t know that until he spoke the words, but she couldn’t help but feel her heart expand at the feelings coursing through her.

  “No. I’d hoped, but—”

  “Sweetheart, there’s no hoping. There are only facts. If you know nothing else, you should know that I’m here because I want to be close to you. You came into my life when I least expected it, and I’m not willing to walk away from what’s happening between us.” He placed his feet down on the floor and reached out to her, “Come here, baby.” Grabbing her waist, he lifted her body and placed her on his lap, her ass settling over his thickening rod.

  “Julian,” she squealed in laughter. “I’m too heavy.”

  He shook his head, “You’re not. Don’t say that shit again. You’re absolutely fucking perfect. Every inch of you was made to fit me j
ust the way I need.” One large hand reached up to trail a finger down her face, his thumb rubbing over her bottom lip. His eyes looked at her with passion and hunger, and Kori wanted to respond, but now that the moment of truth was here, she held back.

  “Why do I want you so bad?”

  His thumb continued to caress her bottom lip, while his other hand bracketed her hip. “Because you know this is meant to be. I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but I feel like you’ve been part of my life much longer. When I leave you at night, I force my feet to move toward my truck.” His hand moved from her lip and trailed a path down her neck and to her breasts. His fingers rubbed against her nipple, causing the flesh to pebble. “It’s a constant battle to hold myself in check, to not take you beyond where you’re comfortable. Sweetheart, you have no idea how much I want to bend you over and shove my cock inside you. At night, lying in my lonely ass bed, I dream of fucking you, of stroking my hard dick inside your warmth. Do you dream about feeling me inside you, bringing you to pleasure over and over again?”

  Panties soaking wet, Kori’s breath was labored as she felt her body responding to his words. Hips moving and shifting on top of his thick rod, Kori ached to feel his thickness pressing inside her. It had been years since she felt anything close to this, and she wasn’t ready to stop. “Yes. Yes, I dream of you every night.”

  A smile came over his face as he grabbed her around the waist, shifting her body down, so she was lying back on the couch. “That’s what I hoped you would say.” Leaning down, his lips captured hers in a sensuous kiss.

  Kori’s arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as he placed his large body between her legs. She could feel her channel slicken as her body responded to his touch. As his hips rocked into her, his thick bulge bumped against the swollen nub between her thighs. She whimpered and moaned as her body writhed beneath his. His lips blazed a path from her lips down to her neck.