by Meka James
Her fingers tickled the back of my neck. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
I chuckled and ran my hand up and down her leg. “I’m good with hearing those words from you all day every day.”
She sat up, straddled me, and placed her hands on either side of my face. “I love you, Malcolm Isaiah Frankel.”
Her declaration punctuated with a kiss and a gentle swaying was enough to bring my dick to life. I squeezed her tight little ass, aiding her movements. When she pulled back, the most playful expression lit up her face.
“Time to play with my joystick?”
My head fell back as I barked out a laugh. “It’s yours to do with what you want, baby.”
She slid off and walked over to my dresser to pick up her jar of items. A large smile spread across my face.
“Well, nothing wrong with practicing between now and then right?” she asked when she turned back to face me.
I did a slow shake of my head. “Nothing at all. In fact, I think I need lots and lots of practice.”
This time it was her to laugh. “I’m sure you do.” Her words were accompanied with a playful eye roll.
She handed me the jar, sat beside me, and folded her legs kiddie style. I gave it a quick shake then closed my eyes as I reached inside. I cast a glance at her before I unfolded the yellow slip of paper in my hand.
My eyebrows shot up when I read the two words written there. “Toys? Am I not man enough for you?”
She plucked the paper from my hands and her skin turned a lovely shade of pink. “Too much,” she replied. “This is me needing a break.” The words could barely be spoken between her giggles.
I grabbed her legs, making her fall back against the bed, and I settled atop her. “You need a break, huh?” I pushed my hips forward and pressed my erection against her.
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. She wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. The heat from her body radiated through the thin veil of her panties. My cock twitched in response, eager for what was to come. I rolled us so she sat on top and smiled when she lifted the shirt off and tossed it to the floor.
“Maybe tomorrow.”
My hands ran up her side until the weight of her breasts settled into them. “That’s my girl.”
7
Fact of Life
Malcolm
“Baby, where ya at?” I called, taking the steps two at a time. I opened the door to our room and Lil Man came running over to me as Ginger walked out of the bathroom. She stopped, almost shocked to see me.
“Hey, wasn’t expecting you back so soon.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but there was a strained hitch in her voice.
Golfing with Mitch had become a regular thing. Though neither of us were any good, it had become sort of our guy time. A regular thing that had me returning home around the same time each week. Something she knew. I picked up Shawn and closed the distance between us. Her eyes had a red tint, as did the tip of her nose. Almost as if she’d been crying or fighting back tears.
“You okay?”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “Yeah. Yeah. Just an unfortunate case of cramps.”
An almost painful looking smile stretched across her face.
“Oh. What do you need?” I shifted Shawn to the side. “Something for the pain? A heating pad? Peace and quiet?”
Ginger brushed the hair from our son's face. “Yeah. If you can watch him for a little while, I’m gonna lay down.”
I ran my thumb across her bottom lip. “We have some gaming to do. You sure you’re okay?”
She nodded before leaning in to kiss Shawn then me. “Yeah. Just tired is all.”
The last two months she’d gotten almost sad around her time, though this was the first time I recalled her ever complaining of cramps. But what did I know? A quick nod and I turned and exited the room with Lil Man whining, trying to get to his mom. I pulled the door closed behind me.
Downstairs, instead of gaming, I carried him outside to run off some energy. I hoped the fresh air would help the nagging worry that had settled in the pit of my stomach. Forty minutes later, and about twenty races around the yard, Shawn was passed out. I left him sleeping on the couch and grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge and the ibuprofen. Upstairs, I tapped lightly on the door before opening. My beautiful wife lay curled up hugging my pillow.
I placed the water and pills on the nightstand and shifted to brush the hair from her forehead. A frown pulled at my lips when I spotted the dried tear streaks on her cheeks. She’d said cramps. Were they that bad that they brought her to tears? Was there something else wrong? I pressed my lip to her forehead and she stirred.
“Sorry,” I whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open and she stretched. “Oh, did I really fall asleep?”
The corners of my mouth turned upwards. “Yeah. You feeling better?”
She slid into a sitting position and placed the pillow across her lap. A barrier. Minor, but still there.
I picked up the bottle and rattled the pills around. “I brought you painkillers and water.”
A tight smile stretched across her face that didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you.” She ran her hands across the mauve pillowcase.
I sat next to her and placed my fingers on her chin, gently turning her to face me. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
She turned away and shrugged one shoulder. “Nothing. Just cramps.” She faced me again, wearing a fake smile. “It happens, as it should. Once a month. You’re old enough to know this.”
Her tease was accompanied by a playful push to my shoulder.
I swallowed back any retort and just let it go. Not pushing her. That’s how we got through things. If it was something she wanted to share, she would, in her own time. Even if I ached to know what the problem was so I could try and help, I’d have to wait it out.
I slipped my hand around to the back of her neck and pulled her forward. “I’ll go figure out dinner. You rest.” I pressed my lips to her forehead before getting off the bed.
She grabbed for my hand. “Where’s Shawn?”
“Sleeping. He needed to recover after I kicked his butt in some backyard track meets.”
“Proud of yourself for beating a toddler?” She rolled her eyes and the first genuine smile graced her face.
I mimicked the action. “Damn straight. The boy wants to hang with the big dogs he gotta pay his dues.”
“A child. I married a giant man child.”
I turned and crawled back onto the bed and hovered over her. My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I stared down at her.
“You love this giant man child. And his…what did you call it…joystick?”
My eyebrows jumped as her face turned a beautiful shade of pink. She reached up to caress my cheek and I melted into the touch.
“I do love you.” Her eyes twinkled. “And your joystick.”
I shifted so my weight rested on my forearms and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “That’s good to know. I’d hate to think I was losing my appeal.” I moved to the side, pulling her against me in the process.
My Ginger pulled back and tilted her head up to look at me. “As if you really think that could ever happen.” She snuggled back against me and rested her hand over my heart. “Besides, your looks and…prowess are simply a bonus.”
I gave a light chuckle and hugged her tighter. She’d come a long way, but under the surface her doubts and insecurities lingered. Making sure she always felt loved and secure was a job I remained honored to have.
I let the silky strands of her hair flow through my fingers. “You rest, I’ll make dinner and take care of Lil Man the rest of the evening.”
“It’s cramps, Mal. I’ll survive.”
“I know, but I like taking care of you.”
She smiled up at me with a dramatic roll of her eyes. “Fine. If you insist. Let me guess, easy-to-fix Hamburger Helper or something of the sort?”
“Only the best
for my lady.”
With a parting kiss to her forehead, I rolled out of our bed and headed back downstairs. Luckily Shawn was still sleeping, and I started rummaging through the kitchen to figure out dinner. I laughed quietly; she had so little faith in my cooking ability.
Ginger came downstairs as I was putting the plates on the table. A slow smile spread across my face when I saw my jar in her hand. Lil Man reached his chubby little arms out in his mom’s direction, whining as he squirmed to get out of his confinement in the high chair. She set the jar on the island before walking over to give him attention. She looked better. The traces of sadness were gone and genuine happiness rested on her features as she talked to our son. Ours. He carried my last name, same as his mother. A change I’d been surprised she’d suggested despite the adoption, considering the other things she held onto in relation to his sperm donor—I refused to give him the title of anything more—and the “legacy” she said belonged to Shawn.
I glanced in their direction, the two of them having an intense conversation about the toy puppy he held. The sight of them was an instant balm to my soul. I picked up their plates and carried them to the table. She smoothed his hair to the side before glancing down at the meal in front of her and back up to me, the expression changing to one of utter surprise.
“Pork chops, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. You’ve been holding out on me.”
I sat across from her. “Hey, you all assumed I couldn’t cook. Just because I don’t really like to doesn’t mean I can’t.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You certainly did very little to dispel that myth.”
I shrugged. “Well, to be fair, you haven’t tasted it yet.”
My statement had her eyeing the plate with new suspicion. She scooped up some of the potatoes, sniffed, then took a small bite. The fork fell, she grabbed her throat, and started choking. My eyes went wide before she started laughing.
I looked over at Shawn—whose hands were covered in the white substance—as he giggled alongside her. “Your mom thinks she’s funny.”
She picked up her fork and resumed eating. “I’m a little funny.”
Dinner was edible, but Ginger wouldn’t be giving up her job of being the main cook anytime soon. Because I cooked, she cleaned, even though I told her I’d do it. She happily threw my line about division of labor back at me.
When she joined us in the living room she had the jar in her hand. The Paw Patrol DVD played, keeping Lil Man’s attention even though we’d watched the damn thing too many times to count. He rested against me, holding on to his action figures, gleefully making them act out what was on the screen.
She settled on the other side of me. “Can’t wait to see what you have in store for me next. I know I’m out of commission right now, but I seem to need prep time for your stuff anyway. So, I figured…” Her words died out and she looked down at the jar, tilting it from side to side.
Nervous babbling, another tell.
I sighed and ran the back of my knuckles across her cheek. “You sure you’re okay?”
A smile and a nod. She shook the jar before unscrewing the lid. Closing her eyes, Ginger reached in and pulled free a blue paper, then placed the jar beside her. We stared at each other as she unfolded it, then she looked down at the slip in her hand. Because of her soft gasp and widened eyes, my curiosity piqued and I plucked it from her fingers.
Delight spread through me. “Oh yeah, baby. Was hoping this would get pulled soon.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Like hell I’m not. I told you when you bought that outfit.”
I guess she thought I had been joking when she’d decided to dress up like Black Widow for Halloween, but I was dead serious. Her curves in that black, body-hugging outfit… Hell, I’d been right when I told her other dads would be checking her out. Getting her back in it had been a top priority for months and this list thing provided me the perfect opportunity.
She pressed her lips together and started rubbing the back of her rings. Shit! Not the reaction I’d expected.
“Look, you don’t have to—”
She waved me off. “No, I want to do all your picks, but… It’s just that you’re you. And I’m me. How am I supposed to be in charge?”
I sat Shawn up so I could turn to face her. He rolled from the sofa and stood in front of the coffee table. We both watched him for a second to make sure he wasn’t going to take off. He picked up his sippy cup and plopped down on the floor.
My hands covered hers and I turned her face so I could look her straight in the eyes. “You’re always in charge.”
A simple truth. One I thought she understood. Even if it seemed like I ran the show, nothing happened without her say-so.
“And it’s not like you don’t initiate things. In case you hadn’t realized it, you can be a demanding little vixen when you want to.”
Her face heated and she pulled her hands free to cover her mouth. The twinkle in her eyes accompanied the soft giggles she tried to hide. Shawn turned back to look at us before he got up and waddled over to climb into her lap.
She took a breath and sat up straighter. “Fair enough.” Her attention went back to the slip of paper he’d now taken possession of, before returning to me. “So, you’re gonna kiss my boots and call me Mistress?”
Shawn tilted his head back to look at his mother and repeated the word kiss and puckered up his lips. She leaned down to give him a quick peck that got her a toothy grin as a reward.
I sat back, crossed my arms, and gave her a slow nod. “Yup.”
8
Toy Time
Calida
Malcolm entered the kitchen wearing a wide grin and holding a nondescript white box.
“Who was it?” I asked. The final click of the strap let me know Shawn was secure in his high chair.
He set the package on the island. “Express Now.”
I eyed it, then looked at him. “What new toy did you order for him?”
He licked his lips and tapped his fingers on the top of the box. “Not for him.”
My heart rate spiked and I swallowed hard, letting my gaze linger on the package before turning my attention to the hungry toddler squawking for food. The item he’d pulled last week. He’d spent more time downstairs in his office, even after work hours. Now I knew why. Not sure why I’d fooled myself into believing he’d simply go to one of the local stores and pick up something basic. Should have known better. Basic had never been his style.
With a wink, he picked up the box and carried it to the table. The grin on his face didn’t falter when he slid into the chair opposite me and put it down.
“Do you wanna know what I got?”
I placed the cut-up peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Shawn’s tray along with cubed apples while I shook my head at my overly excited husband. “With the look on your face, I think I’m scared to know.”
“This was your thing, baby. I’m just playing along.”
“Why do I feel like this item is about to bite me in the as— butt?”
He tented his fingers in front of him like some evil villain and let loose a low cackle. Shawn giggled in unison with his father, and I was thankful he was clueless over the subject of this conversation.
“I don’t know about biting, but there may be something going on with your booty.” A wink and an air kiss in my direction before Mal grabbed the box and headed upstairs.
I got back from dropping Shawn off with my parents to find my husband sitting on the couch already dressed for our night out and playing with his phone. He darkened the screen when he saw me and stood to kiss my cheek. My stomach did a flip. Some days I needed to pinch myself to be reminded this wasn’t a dream.
Today was one of those days.
He was a man who looked good without even trying, but when he did try, he was fucking lethal. I was helpless to do anything but stare at him. The lavender button-down shirt, open at the neck, and paired with a black sport coat that had a lighter inl
ay design throughout the fabric was just the beginning. He wore a pair of slim fit dress pants that tapered at the leg, set off by a pair of intricate designed socks and high-end loafers. His dreads hung free, cascading down around his broad shoulders.
I was married to this.
My heart rate increased, and a rush of desire surged through me, settling between my legs. “Maybe we can skip dinner and you can have your way with me on every surface in the house.”
He stepped closer and placed his hands on my hips and pulled me against his body. The scent of him was gasoline to the fire. How I managed to not lick his exposed skin, I’ll never know, because the little divot at the base of his throat was screaming my name. His tongue took a slow journey across his bottom lip.
“Tempting. But we have reservations. And you have a surprise waiting upstairs.”
Mal placed a kiss below my ear—one of my favorite places for him to kiss me—then let me go. Somehow I forced my legs to work and walked away from the sex on a stick I was married to. When I entered our room, an outfit was laid out on the bed with a light blue rectangular box beside it. He’d never picked out my clothes before, but my heart skipped a beat at the sight.
A simple black wrap dress, though upon closer inspection I noticed a soft shimmer to the fabric. Atop it set a sexy, red lace bra. The red stilettos I’d worn for his dance were placed on the floor. I lifted the dress before glancing around the room. No panties. My gaze went to the door and I shook my head.
I sat and picked up the box, my breath hitching when I opened the lid. My fingers ran across the infinity symbol connected by the thin platinum chain hanging from my neck. Like my wedding rings, it was one piece of jewelry I never took off. This wasn’t a special occasion. Nothing about tonight warranted a gift like this, yet here it sat in my hands. A teardrop ruby necklace and matching earrings. The vibrant red a perfect match to the bra and shoes.