by Harley Wylde
“We tried some Cheerios a few weeks ago. She didn’t chew them well enough and started to choke, so I went back to the baby food and cereal. If you watch her with the learning toys, she’s not as advanced as she should be.”
“Did the doctor say why?”
“It’s a combination of things, or so they think. She was born a few weeks early. Even though she’d cooked long enough she didn’t need to be put into NICU, they warned me she could have complications down the road. Those complications ended up being seizures by the time she was six weeks old. They got them under control, but they took a toll on her. Her motor functions aren’t quite where they should be. There’s a chance she could be autistic.”
“That’s… a lot.”
Glory sighed. “There’s so much they still don’t know about seizures in infants and the long-term effects, and some of what they believe I think is mostly conjecture. Studies with rats aren’t necessarily conclusive evidence, at least not to me. Sienna is just Sienna. If I find out later she’s autistic, then I’ll roll with it and do what I can for her. Right now, her motor skills are off, she’s not speaking yet, and I honestly worry there may be other mental issues we’ll be dealing with in the years to come.”
Glory set a bowl of chicken and dumplings in front of me with a glass of sweet tea, then did the same for herself. I cleaned up Sienna’s face and hands, then gave her some foam bath toys Glory kept in the kitchen for times like this. While we ate, I watched my two girls.
“You love your daughter unconditionally,” I said.
Glory blinked at me. “Of course, I do.”
“But the way you seem to frequently point out she’s delayed, sometimes makes it seem like you think no one else could ever love her too. Even if she isn’t their daughter by blood, she could still be their daughter by choice. Look at Steel and his family. He didn’t contribute to Coral’s DNA, but she’s very much his daughter. Or Dagger and Guardian… they both adore their son, Luis, even though he was a toddler when they claimed his mother. Sometimes family isn’t about what flows through your veins, Glory. Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t always require matching DNA.”
She dropped her gaze and worried at her bottom lip. “You’re right. Maybe I’m doing her a disservice by avoiding men.”
“Thanks,” I muttered. “Do I need to start bra shopping with you?”
She’d just taken a drink of her tea and spewed it across the room. She coughed and patted at her chest. “No.”
“You don’t avoid me,” I pointed out.
She wouldn’t look at me. A pink tinged her cheeks. “You’re different.”
I could live with different. For now. It was a start at any rate.
Chapter Three
Glory
I couldn’t stop thinking about what Wolf had said. He was very much a man, and I was certainly aware of the fact. When I’d said I avoided men, I hadn’t even thought to include him in my statement. Because Wolf wasn’t just any man. He’d been there for us, even when he’d thought I didn’t notice. It’s part of what had worn me down. I’d noticed him lurking in the shadows multiple times. I’d asked Slash about it when I’d gone to visit Shella. He’d barked out a laugh and looked rather gleeful when he’d told me Wolf was smitten. His word, not mine.
After that, I didn’t mind having him shadow me. I felt safe, no matter what time of day I had to be out. The way he watched Sienna and played with her made me feel all warm and gooey inside. I’d often heard the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Well, he’d apparently figured out the way to mine was through my daughter. I’d enjoyed spending time with him, which is why I’d offered to feed him on several occasions. Maybe subconsciously, I’d been testing the waters and seeing if not only I could handle dating someone, but if Wolf could also handle Sienna and me.
I’d already put Sienna to bed, and Wolf was pulling his keys from his pocket, ready to head home for the night. I swallowed hard, hoping he was going home and not over to the clubhouse. I didn’t think for one minute he’d been faithful to a non-existent relationship between us. My stomach knotted at the thought of him being with the women at the clubhouse and bile rose in my throat. I pushed it down, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. Was I ready for what I was about to do?
Wouldn’t know until I did it. Rip the bandage off, so to speak.
“Wolf.”
He turned his head and waited, watching.
“Would you stay a little longer?” I asked. “Maybe… Maybe even for the night?”
Every muscle in his body visibly tensed and his hand tightened on his keys to the point I worried he’d draw blood. I wondered if I’d read the situation wrong. Had I just screwed it all up?
“Glory, you don’t have to invite me into your bed. I enjoy spending time with the two of you. I wasn’t trying to ask for…” He cleared his throat. “That wasn’t the point of what I said in the kitchen.”
“I’m not stupid. I know the men around here can have sex whenever they want with those women at the clubhouse.”
He walked toward me. “And you what? Thought you’d offer up yourself to make sure I didn’t go to them?”
He wasn’t entirely wrong. And yet, he wasn’t exactly right either. It was somewhere between the two. No, I didn’t want him with those women, but the way he made me feel, I was curious what it would be like to be kissed by a man like Wolf. Held by him. Possibly more if I didn’t lose my courage.
“I haven’t been with anyone since the night Sienna was conceived,” I said, my voice almost a whisper. “I can’t promise I won’t freeze or want to bolt if things get to a certain point, but I’d like to try. It’s partially that I don’t like the idea of you going to those women. And it’s also because I think about you all the time.”
He reached up, his touch light as he skimmed his fingers over my jaw, then slipped his hand behind my neck. He held me gently, easily enough I could break away if I wanted. “You think about me?”
I nodded. “I’ve noticed you watching me, making sure I get home at night. The way you are with Sienna, it’s… you’re a good man, Wolf. The way you reacted when I saw your leg, it’s clear you’ve been damaged by other women, and I haven’t been able to stand getting too close to men. We’re quite the pair, but I thought…”
“You thought what?” he asked, his voice deep and gravelly.
“I thought we could heal each other. Sometimes two broken pieces fit together better than smooth ones, right? Like a jigsaw puzzle.”
His lips tipped up on one corner. “Yeah, they do.”
“Will you stay? Even if I can’t give you… everything. At least, not tonight.”
“Glory, I’d never ask for more than you were willing to give. If you just want to cuddle on the couch and watch movies, I’m all right with that. I’ll let you set the pace. Not just tonight, but for every moment from this point forward.”
I stepped closer, pressing my cheek to his chest and wrapping my arms around his waist. It was the first time I’d hugged a man like this, voluntarily. Since having Sienna anyway. It felt good. Right. I breathed him in, and my nipples went hard. I didn’t know why someone hadn’t snapped him up and begged him to marry them. They were all fools.
He ran a hand down my back and held me tighter. I waited, thinking panic would set in, but it didn’t. Anyone else had tried this and I’d have been freaking out by now. With Wolf, I just wanted more.
“Would you kiss me?” I asked. “Please.”
He tipped my chin up. “Sweetheart, it would be my pleasure. I’ve wanted to kiss you since that first week you were here. Then I felt guilty. You didn’t need someone looking at you that way then, and Franny had left just me. My head wasn’t in the right place, so I kept my distance. Or tried to.”
“We’re both single, Wolf. There’s nothing standing in the way.”
He leaned down, his breath fanning across my lips. “Call me Max.”
Before I could question him, he presse
d his lips to mine. It was a soft, coaxing kiss that made my toes curl and had me holding onto him. His arm tightened even more, molding me against his body. A soft whimper escaped me, and he took advantage, his lips ravaging mine.
It felt like lava flowed through my veins, the heat licking at me from the inside. My clit throbbed and I squeezed my thighs together, hoping to ease the ache. I rubbed against him like a cat in heat, the friction against my nipples nearly enough to make me come. It felt like everything was spinning.
He broke the kiss and attempted to pull away, but I didn’t let him. Tugging him back down, I kissed him. Wolf groaned and stumbled back, taking me with him. I heard his back crash into the wall. The hand on my hip slid down until he was cupping my ass. I cried out, my panties getting more and more soaked by the minute.
“Max!”
“Tell me to stop.” He kissed me again. “Tell me, Glory, or I may go too far.”
I shook my head. No. I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted him to keep going. I wanted… to come. How long had it been since I’d had an orgasm? Never. That’s how long. I hadn’t been able to give myself one. I had a small vibrator, but I could never relax enough to enjoy it.
“I want to touch you,” he murmured between kisses. “Taste you. Hear you scream in pleasure.”
“Yes! Please, Max. I’ve never felt like this before. It’s scary and thrilling at the same time.” I panted and gripped the sides of his cut. “Don’t stop.”
“I’m not doing this in your front entry,” he said.
Sienna was asleep in her bed, which was in the room we shared. I took his hand and led him over to the couch. “It’s not a perfect solution, but would this work? Or… Wait!”
I let go and hurried to my room. I yanked the comforter off the bed and carried it to the living room, then I spread it on the floor. Not the greatest solution, but it was the best I could do. I glanced at him to see if Wolf was disappointed. He shrugged out of his cut before padding toward me. I’d already taken off my shoes and socks. Those were the first thing to go when I got home, and I’d changed out of my scrubs and into a tee and leggings.
He patted his thigh. “Can’t take my shoes off because the boot on this leg is attached to my prosthesis.”
I sank onto the blanket and waited for him to join me. “If you’re trying to drive me away, it won’t work. I’ve seen your leg already. But I want you to be comfortable, so…”
“This isn’t about me right now,” he said. “It’s about you. I’ll give you everything you want, and the moment it’s too much, tell me.”
“All right.”
I stretched out and he lay down beside me, bracing himself on one arm so that he hovered over me a little. Wolf traced the contours of my face and brushed his fingers over my lips. “So beautiful.”
He kissed me again, his lips devouring mine. I felt like I was drowning in pleasure. I squirmed on the blanket, needing more yet not knowing how to ask for it. He seemed to understand and slipped a hand under the edge of my shirt. He skimmed his fingers across my belly before slowly inching up toward my breasts. He cupped one hand over my bra and drew back, his brow furrowing.
“Is this okay?” he asked.
“More than.” I licked my lips. “You can touch me any way you want, Max. If something makes me uncomfortable, I’ll let you know. You don’t have to ask permission every step of the way.”
He’d trusted me enough to share his real name. The only thing I had to offer was myself. He’d never given me cause to think he’d go too far. He’d been a gentleman. Sweet, even. I didn’t know what I’d done to be so lucky as to share this moment with him, but I didn’t want it to end.
He nodded and edged my shirt up. My breath caught as he lifted it over my breasts, and I wriggled to help him pull it all the way off. My bra wasn’t pretty, but it was comfortable. I wished I had something lacy, or at least silky, instead of plain cotton. The pink fabric had little gray dots spread across it, and I’d put on the matching panties. Not sexy. Not even a little. I tried not to think about what the women at the clubhouse worse. Or rather, how much they didn’t wear.
He smiled as he ran his finger along the top of the cup.
“Cute and delicate. Like you.”
Cute. Just what every woman wanted to hear in the middle of making out.
He tugged the cup down and my nipple tightened in the cool air. Wolf brushed his thumb over the tip, and I cried out, my back bowing off the floor. I kicked my feet and shifted my hips, my pussy pulsing with need. My lack of sexy undies was long forgotten as my body screamed for release.
“So fucking responsive, Glory. I’m one lucky bastard.”
“Stop talking. More… just more.”
He chuckled and leaned down. I felt his tongue flick across my nipple before he sucked it into his mouth. The light scrape of his teeth was enough to send me over the edge. I ground my teeth together so I wouldn’t scream the place down and wake Sienna. My release soaked not only my panties, but I felt the wetness on my leggings too. My cheeks burned as I wiggled my hips on the blanket.
Wolf kissed me, then nibbled the column of my neck. “Want more?”
“You already made me come.”
His lips curved against my neck as he smiled. “Sweetheart, you can come multiple times. If you want to.”
If I wanted… was he crazy? Who wouldn’t want more than one orgasm? Was that a trick question?
I felt his hand slide down my stomach and his fingers slip under the waistband of my leggings. He rubbed back and forth, each swipe sending his hand a little bit lower. My heart gave a kick when I realized he wasn’t doing it to tease me. The tension in his body told me enough. Even though I’d said I’d let him touch me however he wanted, he still worried it would be too much.
Tears pricked my eyes at how wonderful he was. I only wished I’d found him sooner. Of course, too much sooner and being with me would have put him in jail. He slid his palm over my panties and between my legs. My breath hitched as I spread my thighs a little wider.
He growled as he stroked over the wet material. I felt the rumble straight through to my core. He rubbed against the swollen lips of my pussy before shoving the material aside. The first touch of his roughened skin sent a shock through me.
“Feel good, sweetheart?” he murmured, kissing my neck again.
“Yes. So good, Max.”
He spread my pussy lips and circled a fingertip around my clit. It felt like my heart would pound out of my chest as he toyed with me. The first swipe of his finger and I had to clamp my mouth shut so I wouldn’t yell out. He worked my clit in small, tight circles and I’d have sworn fireworks were going off over my head. My hips jerked. I felt like I needed something more.
Wolf rasped his whiskered chin against my shoulder and sank a finger inside me. He stroked it in and out, using his thumb to put pressure on my clit. I trembled and my thighs spread even farther. The world fell away when I came so hard I thought I might black out. I ground my teeth together, knowing I couldn’t make any loud noises, but oh, how I wanted to!
“That’s it, Glory. Come for me, beautiful.”
“Max.” I reached for him, fisting his shirt in my hand.
He devoured my lips and changed the angle of the finger inside me before adding a second one. He must have hit that special spot inside me, the one I’d thought was only a myth, because I soaked my leggings and the blanket with my next orgasm.
He removed his hand from my pants and sucked his fingers clean, and fuck if that wasn’t hot. I slid my hand down from his chest to his belt, but he stopped me, gripping my wrist and prying me loose. “Told you. This isn’t about me.”
“I’m not letting you leave without you getting something out of this too.” Besides, if he did walk out the door while he was hard as a rock, he might decide to wander over to the clubhouse for a little relief. And I knew it would gut me if I found out.
“You want me to come?” he asked, rubbing his nose against the shell of my ear.
“Y-yes.” A shiver raked my spine, and I knew if he kept touching me I’d ask him to stay all night. I still might.
“No touching, pretty girl. You just lie there and let me look at you.”
He rose to his knees, then shifted until he sat between my splayed legs. I watched in fascination as he unbuckled his belt and slid his zipper down. When he pulled out his cock, I licked my lips. I’d never wanted to suck a guy’s cock before, but with Wolf? Yeah, I wanted to. I’d never been impressed with that particular part of a man’s anatomy, until now.
He gave it a hard tug and pre-cum beaded on the tip. I wiggled on the blanket, wishing we were both naked. He was right to try and go slow, but my body was all lit up and ready for so much more. I wanted it all. Him inside me, his body over mine. I panted as he stroked himself. Was it getting warmer? My hands fisted the blanket and I looked up at his face. Wolf eyed my breasts like a starving man. I reached up and cupped one, rolling my nipple between my fingers.
He groaned, his hand moving faster. The hot spurts of his release splashed across my belly.
“Fuck,” he muttered. “I had no intention of things going this far. You okay, Glory?”
I nodded. “More than.”
“Stay right there. I’ll get something to clean you up.” He rose to his feet, fastened his pants, and rushed from the room. I heard the bathroom sink running and he returned a moment later with a warm, wet rag. He wiped his cum off my skin and left again with the rag in his hand.
“Will you stay?” I called out.
He returned to the living room and folded his arms, staring down at me. “Such a pretty picture. Know what would look even better?”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask. What if he said a different woman would make the moment perfect? Yeah, I could admit I was a little insecure when it came to this particular man. Only because I’d never wanted another one before. Wolf was the only guy who’d sparked my interest. The few dates I’d been on in college had been more of an experiment than anything else. Always being younger than my peers hadn’t made it easy to have a boyfriend.