by Wendy Smith
“Speaking of Max, I think we need to get this movie underway. Once it starts, I don’t think it’ll be long until he crashes.” She runs a finger down my chest.
“What are you up too?”
“I bought you a present too.” A smirk crosses her face. Clearly, she’s pleased with herself. I love seeing the light in her eyes, the sparkle that’s returned.
“Can’t wait for that.”
“Dad got me a present too, Mum. My iPad.” Max clings to his device, and I have to smile at our little family.
Nearly settled.
31
Adam
It’s late by the time everything is set up, and Max, lying on the floor with me, tries his best to keep his eyes open as we watch our first movie on our new TV. I catch Lily’s gaze during the part of Finding Nemo she always cries at. Sure enough tears are welling, and Max climbs up on the couch and rests his head on his mother’s lap.
“Tired, bud?” I ask.
“It’s been a long day for all of us,” Lily says, stroking Max’s hair.
“Bet you’re looking forward to the new house,” I say, sitting up.
She shrugs. “It’ll be amazing, but this place has been our home for so long. Moving out is going to be weird.”
“It’s gonna be cool,” Max murmurs. He’s so close to sleep and fighting it.
Lily smiles at me, her contentment clear in her eyes. Coming home has been a whirlwind. In a matter of weeks, I’ve reunited with Lily, and we’re planning our future. It’s almost like the time in between never happened, and while I know the changes scare her, I’ve never been more confident of anything in my life. We’ve slipped into what our life would have been like had we been married all those years ago.
“He’s asleep,” she whispers.
I crawl across the floor until I reach him. He’s snoring softly against his mother’s thigh, and I raise my finger to stroke his cheek.
“He had so much fun today. You spoiled him.” There’s so much affection in her voice, and it warms me.
“I hope I spoiled both of you.”
She reaches over and strokes my hair. “You did. It’s so much, Adam—it’s overwhelming.”
“Consider it an attempt to make up for everything. I know there are some things that can never truly be made up for, but I’ll do my best.” I stand, reaching down to scoop Max into my arms. “Must be bedtime.”
“For him or us?” A devilish smile plays on her lips, matching the glint in her eyes.
“It’s still early. Are you that tired?”
She stands. “No.”
“I have no idea why you’d want to go to bed so soon, then.”
Turning toward the door, I take a step, and she slaps me on the arse and laughs. “I’m sure there are plenty of reasons.”
“Are any of them in that little bag from the lingerie shop?”
“Maybe.”
I carry Max upstairs and tuck him into his bed. He’s dressed in clothes his mother bought him today, and I’m not about to wake a sleeping boy and make him change into pyjamas. He mumbles as I pull the blanket over him and pause for a minute to stroke his hair.
My mind wanders back to the day James called. I’d been so lost, finished with the army, finished with Jenna. Drinking had become a habit, and yet I’ve barely had a drop since being back here.
Now, I’m found, and this boy has been such a big piece of that.
I bend and kiss his temple. We have so much to catch up on, so many days of hanging out. It’s funny when I consider my reason for coming back. That’s been pushed to the side for this life-changing discovery.
I only wish I’d done it sooner.
Lost in those thoughts, I traipse to the bedroom. All the things Max and I can do together roll through my head. I may have missed out on a lot, but there are still so many years together. How did I get to be so lucky?
Max not only fills my life now, he helps give that life meaning, gives me a reason to go on when there have been times when everything felt too hard.
When I push open the bedroom door, I widen my eyes at the sight of Lily on the bed. She’s taken my words to heart and wears a barely there, white translucent nightgown. One she won’t be wearing in about thirty seconds.
She’s way out of her comfort zone. Her fingers grip the edge of the blanket as if she’s fighting pulling it up and covering herself, defeating the purpose of wearing it.
“Wow.”
“I feel like a dick.”
“You’re gorgeous.” I pause as I take a micro-second to consider the wisdom of my next words. “If you feel like a dick, I’ll give you dick.”
She picks up a pillow and throws it. It hits the door behind me, falling to the ground with a soft thud. “You are a dick. Stop making fun of me.”
Turning, I make sure the door is closed and pick up the pillow. Flicking the light switch fills the room with the soft glow of the night-lights. It’s romantic and warm, and hopefully enough to stop her freaking out.
Lily’s breath hitches, and I make my way to the bed, sitting down and grasping her hand.
“You okay?”
She nods. “It’s beautiful.”
“So are you.”
Even in the dim light I can see her cheeks flush. She hates attention on herself, always has, but I’m going to lavish it on her. I don’t ever want her doubting how I feel.
“I just feel so awkward.” She slams her head against her pillow.
Standing, I tug my shirt over my head and unzip my jeans. Lily relaxes a little and lets go of the sheet. My eyes drink her in, the light highlighting the curve of her breasts.
I’m overwhelmed by that familiar feeling of wanting to possess her, all of her. I want her underneath me, crying my name as I bury myself inside her.
My heart is filled to the brim, and as I lose the remainder of my clothes, I pull back the blankets and take a look at all of her. I’ve claimed her, she’s mine, but I need her more than ever. She was always my common sense, my centre of being. Losing her was always about more than simply a broken heart.
“I love your awkwardness. I love your heart.” Slipping between the sheets, I slide her shoulder strap down, exposing her left breast. “I love these too.”
She giggles as I take her nipple into my mouth and her shoulder slumps as her body releases the tension.
“Come here.” I roll to my back and pull her with me, and she laughs, straddling my hips. Running my eyes down her body, I let out a low whistle. “You’re not wearing any underwear.”
Lily licks her lips. She’s sweet and sexy all at once. It doesn’t take much to get me going when she’s concerned. “I couldn’t see the point.”
“True.”
Slowly, she peels off the nightgown and throws it to the floor.
“That was such a waste of time,” I say, running my hands up her body and cupping her breasts.
“You wanted me to buy it.” Lily leans over, her face inches from mine, and she pokes her tongue out at me.
“I’m glad you did. You are breath-taking in it. Even if you only wore it for five minutes.”
She cocks her head. “More like three and a half.”
I chuckle, pulling her the rest of the way in for a kiss. Her confidence boosted, she grinds against me, and I’m lost in her warmth, her soft skin, the scent of her arousal.
“You have no idea just how beautiful you are, do you?” I whisper.
The pink in her cheeks slides down to the tops of her breasts. “Adam,” she says affectionately.
“My sweet Lily.” All the years fall away as I brush my fingers down her arms.
She sighs a contented sigh, and I slip my thumb between us, stroking her clit.
“I love that I get to do this whenever I want.” I chuckle.
“Well, after Max is asleep.”
“I’ll concede that point.”
Her breath hitches and she leans back a little, giving me better access.
“I still love that I get to
share a bed with you every night.”
Lily closes her eyes, rocking her hips against my hand. Her lips part, and her breath grows heavier with every stroke. She’s lovely, her smooth skin, those puffy lips that beg to be kissed. She bucks against my hardened cock before pushing up a little and sliding onto me.
Being inside her is like heaven, and her silky softness wraps around me. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I’m lost again. Lily surrounds me and I’m more at ease than I have been in months. She’s all I need, and the only one I’ll ever love. She’s my true safe harbour.
When I open my eyes, the brilliant blue looks back. There’s radiance to her that tells me she knows the effect she has on me.
She keeps me under her spell as she quickens the rhythm, and I lose all control. Pressure builds inside me, and I pull her down to run my tongue along the seam of her lips before parting my own to kiss her. I shatter into a million pieces, falling apart right underneath her.
All I see is her.
All I am is her.
“Adam,” she whispers my name this time, and warmth travels the length of my body.
I have no words, and I respond by kissing her again. She giggles as I roll, pulling her with me. I bury my face in her neck and she’s left gasping as I suck gently on her ear lobe.
Spent, I lift off her to lie flat on my back and take a deep breath.
“I think you’ve worn me out.” I laugh.
“I think I did all of the work.” She runs her fingers through her long, blonde hair.
Grinning, I roll to my side again. “Do you know why I think this is going to work out for us?”
She runs a finger down my arm, setting my heart alight. “Why?”
“You. You’ve spent so long being practical and doing what you had to do. You’re my rock, Lily. Yeah we spent some money today, but we’ll settle in to get this business up and running, and you’ll control the spending and make sure we have enough.”
“That’s a pretty big ask when there’s currently a finite amount.”
“You and Max are motivation enough to get the work done and bring in the money.”
She smiles. “After everything we’ve been through, this is probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.”
“Me too. But I could live in a caravan at the cove with you and be happy. I think that’s the advantage we have.”
Her smile lights up the whole room, and she giggles as I kiss her tenderly.
This is contentment.
This is love.
I wake to Lily wrapped around me. If she was disturbed during the night, she didn’t wake me. I watch her sleep, her arm draped over my chest, her right leg hooked around my left. She’s so peaceful, and I don’t want to move for fear of waking her.
When she stirs, I brush my fingers down her arm and back up again.
One deep breath and her eyes flicker open. That lazy smile returns to her lips, the one that shows how happy she truly is.
“Morning,” I murmur.
She lets out a contented sigh. “Good morning.”
“Sleep well?”
Lily nods. “The light worked well, and being with you helps.”
“You are rather entangled.” I shake my leg and Lily laughs, tightening her lock on me. “I’m not complaining.”
Her smile grows. “Good. I rather like sleeping like this.”
I nuzzle her cheek, my lips finding hers in a tender kiss.
Slam.
The door bursts open, hitting the wall behind it. Lily jumps, and I sit up, grinning at Max standing in the doorway, his eyes as big as saucers.
“Dad! Can we play a game now?”
I chuckle. “Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll be with you.”
He shifts his gaze to Lily. “Mum, are you naked?”
Only her shoulders show, but I guess he’s not used to seeing her like this.
“I …” she starts.
He rolls his eyes. “I’m so glad I didn’t hop into bed with you last night, then.”
Turning, he disappears, presumably heading to the living room. Lily’s a brilliant shade of red and I can’t help myself, laughing as she slams her head back onto the pillow.
“Stay here. I’ll bring breakfast in after I’ve got him sorted out.”
She reaches up, dragging her fingers through my beard. “You’re good to me.”
“You deserve it.” I shuffle off the bed, dragging on my clothing before I can get distracted by her again. “Besides, if I can keep him busy, I might just be able to get a quickie out of it.”
Lily laughs. “I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a quickie with you.”
I waggle my eyebrows at her. “Try me and find out.”
Fifteen minutes later with Max playing Lego Batman downstairs, I show her exactly what I mean.
In the afternoon, I set off for Corey’s place. In exchange for using his ute, he borrowed my car, which I’m anxious to get back. I’m guessing he gave it a good thrashing.
With Lily’s directions, I set off up McKenzie’s Mountain. It was named for the first settler family to the area. They sat on the hill and watched as the township sprung up beneath them. There’s no hope of watching from above now—the bush has grown dense and it’s beautiful in its own way.
The road is sealed, but bumpy. I doubt it’s had any maintenance in years. With no other traffic, I slow as I pass the commune or cult, or whatever it is. When I was a kid, the people from the group used to come down into town often. The only thing different about them was that they all dressed the same and that their kids didn’t go to school with us. From what I hear, they’ve become more secluded, cutting themselves off from the outside world as much as possible.
I shiver and push on. Corey’s place is supposed to be just over the ridge. It turns out to be easier to find than I thought it would be as I spot my car just off the road and the small house behind it.
It’s beautiful in its solitude, but still not too remote. It’s not far to town, but the house is surrounded by trees, visible only when you get out the front of it.
Corey steps out onto his deck as I pull up his driveway, waving as I get out of the ute. “Hey. Everything go okay?”
I nod as I step toward the house, gravel crunching under my shoes. “Sure did. We’ve got furniture ordered, and I bought a TV and a few other things ready to go. We’ll need your help next weekend though.”
“You got it.” He nods back toward the house. “Want a coffee?”
“Sure.” I trail into the house behind him. It’s pretty bare. In the corner of a living room is a television, and opposite that an old couch. In the kitchen is a small round wooden table with four chairs. Corey indicates for me to sit at the table and I do so, looking around the room. “So, this is your place.”
He flicks on the kettle and grabs some cups out of the cupboard.
“Yep. It’s cosy and does the job. I’m not home a huge amount. Sometimes pest eradication means days away from here.”
While Corey spoons out the coffee and sugar, I lean back in my chair. This is such a cosy place, and so Corey. The walls are devoid of decoration, the table’s basic with no cloth. I guess it makes sense if he’s barely around.
He carries the cups to the table and sets one down in front of me before sitting.”
So, you move into the new house next weekend.”
I nod. “Yep. James is helping me with the garage during the week. Jack still has a whole heap of gear he hadn’t managed to sell—it’s just in storage. I’m grabbing that, too. It’s enough to get us open and working. I can’t wait to get into the house and online so I can sort out whatever else we need.”
Corey chuckles and takes a sip of his coffee. “Max won’t know himself. Maybe Lily will take better care of herself, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, little brother. You know more than anyone. She cuts back on looking after herself so that Max has enough. Drives me a little crazy. I’d give
her a month’s worth of meat at a time, but I knew damn well that she’d stretch it to make it last longer and give him bigger meals.” He shrugs. “I mean, fair enough, but she was just wasting away in that place.”
Nodding, I sigh, wrapping my hands around my mug. “I thought as much. She’s so thin. But I’ve made sure there’s been enough food in the house these past few weeks, and she seems to eat more with each meal.”
“That’s some white knight shit you’ve got going on. Think you can keep it up?”
I laugh. “We’ll be fine. I lucked out with the apartment in the States, and bought it a few years ago when property prices were lower. They took off and I cashed up. In US dollars, too. I suspect if I was still over there I wouldn’t be quite so flush.” Sipping the last of my coffee, I put the cup back down. “Between the garage being cheap and Eric paying Lily a decent amount for the sheep, we’ve got enough to last a few months.”
“We’ll all help out if we have to as well. Owen will no doubt still deliver bread, plus you’ll be closer to him now. I’ll still bring you meat when I go hunting.”
“It’s all appreciated.”
“You know … He studies me closely. “When I heard you were back, I thought there might be trouble and then you’d bugger off again. I’m glad you’re here and that you’ve made amends.”
I let out a sigh. “I don’t know if I can ever fully make amends for everything, but I can do whatever it takes to support my family.”
A smile crosses his face. “Well, if you ever get stuck, you’re always welcome here. I reckon I could squeeze you all in.”
“Thanks.”
He frowns. “What we did was just as bad. I think we were all a bit young and stupid to think you wanted to stay away. But at the same time, it made sense. It was a lot to be lumped with at that age.”
“I guess, but then Lily had the whole lot on her shoulders. That wasn’t fair either.”
Corey shakes his head and sits back in his chair. “What happened to her was so bad. Of everyone, I knew how much you loved her. I told her I’d take care of her in the early days, but she wasn’t interested.”