by Katy Kaylee
Eric
“What’s your name? I’m Delainne- I’m a friend of your dad’s.” Maggie darted around my opposite side, and Delainne’s smile widened out of the corner of my eye. Sitting up straight, I hoisted my daughter onto my lap as my roiling emotions quelled now that she was so close. When she didn’t say anything, Delainne only waited patiently, and Maggie rubbed her ankles together against my shins.
“Maggie…” As cute as she was, my daughter was always weary of strangers- which was great. I didn’t discourage it, at least. Next to me, Delainne gasped loudly and leaned back, and I watched Maggie’s expression as her cheeks rippled with the urge to smile.
“Maggie! I am so happy to meet you, Maggie. Your dad has told me a lot of things about you.” Delainne spoke enthusiastically- like she actually meant it and then some- and I smiled when Maggie blushed bright red. “So, I saw you going down the slide. Is that your favorite part of the park?”
“Yeah-“ Hiding her face in my chest, Maggie snuck peeks at Delainne as I caught her eye, and a pleasantness swept through me. For a short moment, we were silent, and I inhaled a deep, sharp breath before speaking up.
“How about we play tag, Maggie? That’s your second favorite thing to do at the park.” My daughter perked up at that, and Delainne giggled when she shot up to nod furiously. Her hair went everywhere, and I swiped it back away from her rounded face to cup her cheek. “Is it okay if Delainne plays with us?”
“She can just watch.” My jaw fell into my lap at Maggie’s flippant dismissal, and Delainne burst out laughing. A dense wave of mortification swept through me as my daughter looked between us in growing confusion. The light, hysterically amused sound filled the air and earned us looks, but I couldn’t even put my face back together before the woman by my side clapped her hands loudly.
“I would absolutely love to watch you, Maggie.” Mirth heightened Delainne’s tone, and I snapped my jaw shut when Maggie’s cheeks threatened to burn a hole through my shirt. Flickering to her, Delainne raked her hand through her obviously fake, blonde waves with a wide, silly grin. “Maybe I can learn a few tricks from you? I don’t even remember the last time I played tag.”
“All you gotta do is run away. You can’t run away?” If the question struck a chord, Delainne didn’t let it show as she shook her head, and Maggie huffed hotly. “I’ll teach you. Uncle Martin says grown-ups are supposed to know everything…”
“Mags-“ Sliding off my lap, my daughter scrunched up her face at my scolding, and embarrassment crept up my neck. “You shouldn’t listen to Uncle Martin. He’s loopy.”
“You know-“ Stealing Maggie’s attention, Delainne braced her elbows on her knees with an easygoing smile, and fondness flooded my veins. Watching her interaction with my daughter made me feel safe- and the irony wasn’t lost to me. “I may not know how to play tag, but I can do some pretty cool stuff.”
“Like what?” Delainne cast me a sidelong glance, and I leaned back with a nod before she stood up. She had Maggie’s full, unwavering attention, and my lips twitched in a smile when my daughter just plodded along complacently. It didn’t escape me that Delainne was trying hard to get Maggie to like her, but I couldn’t help but be surprised. The faint wisps of their conversation made their way to me on the hot breeze, and my own interest piqued when Delainne lifted her hands over her head.
She hopped up on the balance been expertly, and my daughter watched in avid fascination. Delainne was a lot more flexible than she looked, balancing on one sneakered foot to stretch her leg out. In a perfect right angle, she whipped around to face the opposite direction, and Maggie squealed with excitement.
I’d thought about getting Maggie into some programs like dance or gymnastics, but she always fought me. Workouts were enough from a health point of view, but I felt like they weren’t fun for her. Now, watching her watch Delainne, hope began to bubble up in my chest.
“Here, you can try it, if you want.” Maggie leaped in the air at the offer, and Delainne shot me a questioning glance. Nodding as her consideration touched my heart, I gnawed diligently on my inner cheek while my mind wandered. She held my daughters hand to help her balance, but Maggie just tried to copy what Delainne had done.
Maybe this was a good thing; Delainne wants to quit her job because of her step-brother, and I need a babysitter. The notion soured my tongue, but it had been her that brought it up. She no longer felt safe, and where safer than with me? I was active duty military- I had a conceal carry permit- I worked relatively close with steady hours.
“Plus, we need to get our story straight about next week.” Mumbling to myself, I ignored the pang of regret that stabbed my chest. What the fuck was I thinking when I said that? Even now, I couldn’t find the answer. I wanted my parents off my fucking back, and Delainne didn’t strike me as the person to take something without offering something else.
Which, as fucked up as it seems, was how she saw it. Her step-brother was a damn creep, and my taking her virginity was a favor to her.
Taking out my phone, I dialed Teagen’s number and held the device to my ear with a stiff palm. A dozen feet away, Delainne lavished Maggie with praise on how flexible she was, how good her form was, and the cogs in my mind turned faster.
“Hey, Eric- what’s up? Did you finally find a date for my wedding, or are you going to eat two plates of food?” Chuckling at that, I shook my head even though Teagen couldn’t see, and his sigh echoed through the line. “I’m just kidding. Your mother won’t shut up about your fiancée that no one’s ever met, and you’ve never talked about, and I don’t think is real.”
“She’s not my fiancée, but that’s something I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been seeing this girl-“ Lie number one. Teagen’s gasp shadowed the thought, and I licked my lips heavily before continuing. “I was wondering if you and Casey would allow me to propose to her at your reception. Everyone’s hyped about meeting her and stuff, so I just figured I could do it with everyone there- if that’s okay with you and Casey, of course.”
“You serious? Why didn’t you tell me you were in a serious relationship, dude? I was worried your balls would explode!” The faux anger in Teagen’s voice rippled through the speaker, and I barked out a laugh that mingled with his own. “I want a damn answer.”
“I just… never told anyone. It wasn’t personal, but you know how the family gets. After everything that happened between my parents and I with Maggie, I just wanted to be sure. Delainne seems really good with Maggie, and Maggie really likes Delainne.” So far, at least. Sourness coated my tongue as I lied a bit more to a man I could always trust, but I knew he didn’t believe me anyway. His silence was proof enough, and I blew out a hot breath and reached to pinch the bridge of my nose. “Honestly, I just want them all off my back, Teagen. I can’t stand this- it’s been two years, and it’s getting out of control. You and I both know that my mom won’t admit she lied.”
“So, you want to propose to a random ass chick at my wedding? Then, ‘break up’ with her because the pressure and expectations were just too high or some other bullshit…” Holding my breath, anticipation quickened my heart beat, and Teagen snorted roughly to follow his unimpressed tone. “At least it’ll be a funny story. I’ll ask Casey and swear her to secrecy. I’ll call you back later.”
“Thanks, Teagen.” Hanging up, I turned my attention to Delainne and Maggie as relief slumped my shoulders. Just as Teagen surmised, my plan was to propose to her using a ring I didn’t buy, and then break up for reasons that didn’t exist. Wild.
“Dad! Look at what I can do now!” Straightening at the shrill call drenched in excitement, I smiled automatically when I caught sight of Maggie. Her brows furrowed deep in concentration, and she held out her arms for balance. Slowly, sloppily, she started to turn on the beam, and pride bubbled in my chest like tar. The metal girder was wide enough that she could fit the length of her foot on it, and she didn’t have any support.
Delainne’s hands hovered a good few inches
away from my daughter’s sides, and I pushed myself up to slip my phone back into my jean pocket. Clapping enthusiastically when Maggie made the turn, I grinned when she jumped off the beam to run at me full speed. Bending to catch her, I held her to my chest as she shivered from the force of her accomplishment.
“You did so good! I never knew you liked to do that- maybe we can get you some lessons?” Glancing over Maggie’s head, I smiled at Delainne, and she blushed furiously. Jerking back, my daughter grabbed my face in her clammy, hot palms to force me to look at her, and seriousness swirled in her bright eyes.
“Can Delainne teach me? I want to do what she does- she can come over while you’re at work, Dad- you don’t even have to drive anywhere.” Surprise lifted my brows, and I stammered a little before nodding. Maggie shot me a megawatt grin, twisting in my ears to cheer in elation. “You can teach me at my house! Can you? Please! My dad can pay you!”
This little girl. I loved her with all my heart.
“I would love to help you, Maggie.” Delainne caught my gaze, and a silent understanding buzzed between us- almost palpable in the hot, mid-summer air. Wandering towards us, she pulled back her hair, and my chest tightened as her long, slender body swayed to her gait. Realization hit me, and my smile slickened as all of the things I could teach Delainne flashed in my mind’s eye.
Delainne
“Your home is beautiful, Eric.” Smiling as I sat gingerly on a curved, leather sectional sofa, I blushed furiously when he dropped down heavily beside me. “I’m surprised at how clean it is. I wouldn’t think it would be since she’s six.”
“She’s a good girl. I’m lucky that she’s not a nightmare considering I work full-time, and with everything she goes through…” Slinging his arm over my shoulders, Eric trailed off as a certain tension settled on us. My heart slowed, the blood beating against my ear drums going silent as he sighed softly. “It’s hard for her. She hates school, and school hates her. I want to get her into an accelerated program because she’s so damn smart, you know? She gets things so fast. I’ve considered being transferred so she can get the education she needs.”
“You’re a good father, Eric.” Mine was all I could think to say, and I rubbed my fingertips together in my lap at this moment of peace. I was surprised that I could still think considering how the day had gone. “I had a very expensive education, but it still failed me in many ways.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’m not so good at math, and because I went to an expensive private school, no one ever made me learn it. You can’t rely on schools to teach Maggie the things she needs to know to be successful as a person. That’s not their job. Their job is to make kids learn socializing- foremost, I think.” Gentle, callused fingertips circled my shoulder above my blouse, and I rested my cheek on Eric’s chest. Our closeness was comforting; maybe it was because I’d never had it before. “I went to an expensive private school, but my step-brother went to a public school, and we got the same education, essentially. I just had more resources.”
“Your intelligence is sexy, you know. The way you look at things is so… unique. You don’t like to mix emotion and rationale. It’s nice- I’ve never met someone that didn’t pity me for being a single father… especially considering the circumstances.” The praise warmed my entire body, and I smiled as Eric rested his cheek on my crown. His fingertips trailed up and down my neck, and pleasant tingles rippled across my skin. “When Sasha died, everyone felt so awful for me. Maggie would grow up without a mom. Every other person I talked to for months after it happened asked if I was going to give her up for adoption. The thing was, though- Sasha wasn’t a bitch or anything. She wasn’t nasty or conniving in any way. She wouldn’t lie about it, and I felt horrible that she died.”
“I knew I had to stop all of it when someone I hadn’t talked to in years told me that I was honorable- a real man- for taking care of a little baby that I was involved in making. I mean- I was in both Iraq and Afghanistan on four separate tours by the time Maggie was born… but suddenly, I was a better man than I was before. I was willing to die for my country when I enlisted, but people are more starry-eyed because I gave my life up for a badly timed fuck.” The disgust in Eric’s tone was heart wrenching, and I squeezed his hand as his heart thudded hard against my cheek. “I requested to be transferred here to get away from everyone. My parents had already come and gone, and Sasha’s mother moved out this way. She spoils Maggie something fierce, but I don’t have the heart to tell her not to. It’s not like they see each other so often- the weekends and holidays and stuff, but not a crazy amount of time. She doesn’t necessarily like me, I know, but she doesn’t hate me. I think she’s bitter because she told Sasha all the time to stop being a… floozy, essentially.”
“I think those people were right in a sense, Eric.” His soft hum reverberated through my entire body, and I nibbled my bottom lip as I carefully processed everything he was telling me. “It takes something different to raise a child by yourself than it does to run towards danger. For most people- especially men- they feel forced into it.”
“I mean, if I didn’t accept the fact that Sasha might get pregnant, I would’ve used condoms. She wasn’t a woman that I saw a future with, and I knew it early on. She was just fun while I was state-side, but she was really reckless and immature.” My heart warmed at Eric’s response, and he tilted his head away from me to fiddle with my ring. “She’d had an abortion before, you know- I remember thinking why she hadn’t just done it again. I was 2 months into a 10-month tour, and the only reason I was shipped back early was because she died. I don’t know how you feel about that kind of thing, but…”
“It’s not my business to judge people for what they do or don’t do, Eric. There are a lot of reasons to do something like that- be it medical, or moral, or financial, or whatever.” Truth rang in my tone to clash with my own, personal brand of dread and disgust, and I inhaled sharply. “But- Maggie is a wonderful little girl.”
“She looks exactly like me, but that personality is all Sasha. It’s infuriating sometimes. It’s difficult to find people that can keep up with her. We have a life of constant activity and structure, so babysitters can’t just plop her in front of the tv. Times like now- in the summer- is a little more lax, but not by much.” Smiling, I lifted my head to catch Eric’s eye, and I craned my neck to kiss his cheek. His arm around me tightened, and our lips found each other with little persuasion. Greedy fingers threaded in my hair, and a fire sparked in my abdomen as he secured his muscular arm lower down my back.
Opening my mouth with a soft, low moan, I shuffled a little closer as Eric tangled his tongue around mine. He tasted like the grinder he’d had for dinner, and my buds tingled from it. Creeping up his toned chest, my fingers tickled from the desire that slowly but surely flooded my veins. Defined abdominal muscles flexed under my palm, and he carefully pushed me on my back to climb atop me.
Kicking my shoes off clumsily, I gasped when Eric grabbed my ankle to spread my legs, and he smiled into my mouth. Grinding as our kiss grew more intense, he palmed my breast to squeeze and send shocks down my sternum. The bulge in his jeans was tempting, firm and hot even between four layers of fabric.
“Eric-“ Arching greedily when he pinched my nipple outside my bra, I moaned as a shiver lodged between my shoulder blades. The living room was still and dark, with only a lamp to illuminate the edges of the furniture. Sticking his hand under my shirt, Eric thrust his hips before steering from my mouth downwards. His lips left a trail of fire along my skin, and I moaned while he kneaded my breast.
“I’d fuck you again if I was more certain you wouldn’t wake up Maggie.” My abdomen pulsed wildly at Eric’s growl, and I gasped as he smirked broadly against my collar bone. Tilting my hips against his, I groaned and shuddered from the friction, and he propped his elbow by my head to stroke my hair. His eyes glittered beautifully, and I blushed at the glint that shone there. “Did you step-brother stop you from dating or anything
?”
“No?” Dragging my palms down his chest, I bit back a moan when Eric rolled up my shirt. His eyes didn’t leave mine as he tugged down my bra, and even the question he posed couldn’t douse the flames that raged just under my skin. “I worked- I had school- I didn’t see the point because there was no one I liked enough to put before those two things.”
“Delainne-“ The roughness of his tongue sent a spasm through me as he licked the length of my sternum, and I sucked in a sharp breath. “Stay the night with me. He’s here, and I would feel better if you weren’t alone.”
“You just want me to be a pillow.” My tease earned me a chuckle, but the seriousness of the offer slowed my heart. Eric must’ve felt it because he stopped his grinding, and I sighed before he covered my mouth with his. Wrapping my arms around his neck, my moan was all the answer he needed, and firm, familiar fingers grazed my bare belly.
Expertly unfastening my jeans, Eric deepened our kiss, and he slipped his fingertips into my panties with a satisfied groan. Peeling the damp fabric from my slit, he tangled his tongue around mine, and my breath caught when he circled my swollen, needy nub. Gripping his shirt tightly, I lifted my hips into his palm, and his fingers sunk inside me with no resistance and no warning.
The sensation sent pleasure rippling through me despite how foreign it still felt, and I ripped my mouth from Eric’s to clench my teeth hard. Clamping down on his fingers as he pumped slowly, magma flowed from my core to flood my veins. His palm ground against my clit with each, knuckle-deep thrust, and he kissed and nibbled my neck with pleased, low grunts.
“Delainne… Delainne… Delainne… you smell so fucking good- it drives me wild.” Inhaling sharply, loudly, Eric shuddered atop me as I squirmed in pleasure, and he drove harder into my channel. “You have no fucking idea how great it feels knowing no one has ever smelled this- touched it- fucked you-“