“Well, I don’t agree,” she said stubbornly. “I agree that there needs to be some changes but I don’t think we have to destroy anyone in the process.” She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to win this argument but, in order to feel like she was being loyal to Soph, she had to try.
“Then I refer to rule number one and I have just demonstrated so you know I will follow through.”
Destiny opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again. Then opened it again, once she figured out what she was going to say. “I thought we believed in democracy in this country,” she said. There that was worth waiting for wasn’t it?
“We do, and I am appointing myself head of this state. This state being this family.”
“This is my house! I get to be the head of it,” she said. “What makes you think you can just take over anyway?” The hide of this man, how rude! He really thought she was just going to let him take over and rule them all with an iron fist, or a pencil and paper but the idea was the same.
“You have been impeached, for committing the serious crime of letting your nine-year-old daughter do whatever the hell she wants.” He grinned at her. “You know what happens when you ignore the new leader.”
“We both know what happens,” she said with a sigh. This man was beyond frustrating and he was scribbling again on yet another piece of paper. “I thought you were finished, what’s this one about?”
“This one is the routine sheet. It won’t be any worse than the other one,” Justin said. He continued to scratch down the afternoon routine the same as he had with the rules. “See, all it is, is putting away stuff, having a snack, homework and the free time until it’s time for dinner, then teeth, et cetera and then bed at 7:30 pm, and reading until 8:00. Lights out will be 8:00 pm.”
“Soph has never been to bed at 7:30 pm in her life,” Destiny said.
“To quote Dr. Phil,” Justin said, “how’s that workin’ for ya?”
“I guess we can try all this and then make adjustments if something’s not working.” If Destiny were honest with herself, the fight had gone out of her for the evening. All she wanted to do was relax and enjoy the nicer side of this man.
“Exactly,” Justin said. “All I’m looking for here is a starting point.”
“Okay,” Destiny said. “So, can we open the wine now?”
“We sure can.”
* * *
“I’m sorry you never got a chance to go to school,” Justin said. They had been sitting on the sofa talking about their lives; about them, as a couple and not the kids for a change.
“That’s okay, I’ve been lucky. My mom and dad made sure that Soph and I were always okay and I liked being a stay at home mom. It worked out well for everyone. I got to be with Sophia and my aunt got someone to take care of her in her final years. I probably would have made a lousy career person anyway.”
“Why do you say that?” Justin ran his fingertips up and down her arm. “You certainly know how to argue to the death. I would think you would have made a great lawyer.”
“I don’t know; lawyers have to figure out how to get information out of people. You essentially have to be a people person. I don’t think I’m very likable. Do you see a bunch of women friends knocking down my door?” Destiny smiled. It wasn’t that she found the situation totally uncomfortable. It was just the way things were, she was used to it.
“I’m sure you could change that if you really wanted to. You don’t get involved in school from what I hear. It’s a small school, they’re always looking for extra helpers on the PTA for instance,” he said.
“I guess I’ve been a little embarrassed about the trouble that Soph got herself into and not entirely happy with all those women. It’s hard when your child gets left out of birthday parties and stuff. If you don't like my kid, then you don't like me.”
“I’m trying to steer this conversation away from the kids, let’s just leave it and say that when things are easier with Soph and you feel more comfortable, come and join in, be a part of things.”
“I’ll try,” Destiny said.
“You’ve been quiet, Desi. I know there’s something that’s not a hundred percent right here. I wish you'd talk to me,” Justin said.
Destiny really wasn’t sure if she should open another can of worms but she had to wonder what he’d meant when he’d said that he wasn’t sure it could work this way with all to and fro. She was positive he had said something like that. “It’s nothing really.”
“Desi?”
“It’s just that I’m a bit confused. I thought things were going great and you said that you weren’t sure we could do this or something about it all being too hard with the to and fro. I don’t remember the exact wording,” Destiny blurted out. That was the trouble when you let things build up in your head. Instead of just asking a simple question that made sense, it jumps out of your mouth in a jumbled mess.
“Ah, okay, I think I know what you mean, but you have the total wrong end of the stick. Why would I chase you around the house in an effort to get you to change things, to make them work better, if I didn’t think we could work?”
“I didn’t say it made sense! Besides, I don’t have any doubts about you wanting Soph in your life, it’s me I’m not sure you want.”
“You could not be further from the truth. Let me explain how I feel. I know this will seem ridiculous because it’s only been a few days. We have so much history though, which is why I feel justified in feeling this way. The love I felt for you before we broke up has reignited and it almost feels like we haven't had a break even for a couple of weekends, let alone for ten years,” he tried to explain.
“So when you say almost though, does that mean you have any kind of doubts about us?”
“No, it doesn’t mean that at all. It means that it’s different because back then it was only us. Now there are even bigger stakes. Now despite all the odds, we are already a family,” he said. “It just sucks that at the end of the day, Lily-Grace and I have to go home.”
The relief that Destiny felt was palpable. “Then move in, I have plenty of room here.”
“No, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do, I’ve told you that, honey. I’m an old fashioned man and I won’t give into temptation and move in here until we are married.”
“So this won’t be a night of sex then?” she asked, a twinkle in her eye.
“I said I’m old fashioned, not a monk.”
Destiny climbed up and sat in his lap, pressing her lips to his in a gentle kiss. “Wouldn’t it be nice to sit here and do this every night after our children have been put to bed at the unusually early hour of 8:00 pm?”
“Seven-thirty, asleep by 8:00 pm,” he said with a grin, his tongue matching hers in the rhythm of their dance. “I could definitely learn to enjoy this ritual.”
Destiny changed her position, straddling him so she could feel him harden beneath her. It had always been a turn on, to feel what her kisses did to him and God but she loved what he did to her ass. His hands kneaded and squeezed as their kisses deepened.
“Arghh, Desi, you’re killing me,” he said. “I have to shower first, want to join me?”
* * *
In all the time they’d spent together as teenagers, Destiny had never shared a shower with Justin. It was odd but she was kind of embarrassed. There was nothing more intimate than washing your bits in front of someone else. Having that other person wash your bits for you was even more embarrassing and the most intimate thing the two had done as a couple so far. The sex when they were young had been dictated by time, occasion and situation. A bit like it was now, only this time, they did have the comforts of home and the use of a large shower stall.
“Turn around for me, honey,” Justin said.
Destiny tipped her head backwards for Justin to rinse out the conditioner. He was so gentle, and there was definitely something extremely hot about being soaped up and slippery when kissing. She turned in his arms and leaned into him. Her erect ni
pples pressed against his hard chest as she looked up, waiting for his kiss, but he dropped to his knees and pulled her towards him with hands that were on her bottom.
“I think I promised you that I would pay you more attention when we had more time,” he said. His lips pressed against her slippery wet mound, molding and squeezing her cheeks as he devoured her.
Destiny’s head dropped back as he licked and suckled but she wanted him to delve further down between her swollen lips. She pressed herself against the ledge chuckling deeply when he grabbed one leg and placed it none to gently over his shoulder. Seemed she wasn’t the only eager one. “Oh, Justin,” she moaned. His tongue danced along the entire length of her open slit, flicking and sucking the growing nub.
“You like that, don’t you, naughty girl,” he ground out against her thigh. His fingers spread her and his tongue dipped inside her.
“Hot water is going,” she whined. This had been so perfect but they would have to move. His hot breath warmed the flesh that was starting to cool amid the rapidly cooling spray.
He flicked the taps off. “Bedroom,” he said. He slapped her bottom hard as she hurried past him, desperately seeking the comfort and extra space of her big bed. “Coming, slow coach?” she asked with a giggle.
“I’ll give you slow coach.” In a second, he scrambled up behind her, joining her as she landed on the bed on all fours. “I’m right behind you.”
“Just the way I like it,” she said. She waited for him slam into her, taking the position that was familiar and a personal favorite but it wasn’t his erection she felt against her, it was his tongue and his fingers, that licked and explored, going back to where they had left off and bringing her right to the brink. He stopped though, just before she tipped over the edge.
“I love you like this,” Justin said. His stubble grazed the delicate skin on her bottom and back as he kissed his way up to her neck, his entire body against her, skin against skin.
She held her breath, waiting for him to take her, for that perfect first thrust that slammed against her front wall, sending her spinning almost immediately out of control. She wanted him inside her and the waiting was driving her crazy. “Justin?” she almost choked out.
His hand swatted her quivering bottom. “You want this?” he asked.
“Yes, yes,” she said. Destiny wiggled her bottom wantonly. Did he want her to beg? She was close, she wanted him and she wanted him badly.
“This, you want more of this?” He spanked the wiggling target.
She almost screamed. “I want you inside me!”
“Hang on then,” he said. He gripped her hips and slammed into her, the tip of him touching, grinding against that perfect place.
She closed her eyes to savor the feeling but then the spanking started all over again, but this time with his hard length inside her, she liked it. Every time she pushed back against him he rewarded her with a sharp smack. The smacks were harder than they had been when he was popping her for punishment but she didn’t care. The pleasure, the pain, all ground together and all she could do was embrace the feeling. Destiny pushed back harder and took him, all of him until they exploded together in a combined free fall that left them in a tangle of limbs and sheets. Exhaustion made it hard for either of them to move anything but their lungs as they sucked in deep, desperate breaths.
* * *
Breakfast the next morning was festive. They sat outside and Justin made pancakes on the flat part of the grill. It was different, but Destiny was learning that having a man around was different in so many wonderful ways. He was a little bossy, this man but for all the good things he was, she could take that, more than take it, she was prepared to embrace it. “You are a man of any talents,” she said, watching him lift the last of the pancakes onto a platter. “I’ll get the syrup.”
“I’ll get it; I have to get the coffee anyway.”
“So are you still ready to go home today?” she asked.
“I’m never ready to go home,” he said. “which brings me to the next thing. What are you doing next weekend?”
“I’ll probably spend it with you and the girls,” she said. “Why? Do you have any ideas? Maybe something special you’re thinking of doing?”
“I do actually,” he said. “I was thinking it might be good to elope.”
“Pardon me?”
“Oh sorry, that was a bit lackluster wasn’t it? I was just thinking more about the end result and not so much about the process.” Justin dropped to one knee in front of her.
Destiny found herself tearing up. Was he really about to do what he it looked like he was about to do? “Justin,” she whispered.
“Destiny Bridges, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He grinned. “I’m really sorry that I don’t have a ring, but I promise by next weekend you will have the engagement ring and the wedding ring.”
“Oh, my God, Justin, really?” Destiny covered her mouth with one hand while she brushed away tears with the other. “Of course I will.”
* * *
“We’re sitting back at the table with no food again,” Sophia said. “I’m guessing that means you’re going to talk about rules again huh?” she asked.
“Yes, we are,” Justin said. “None of it is hard, honey, and it’s nothing that I wouldn’t expect of Lils.”
“Okay,” Sophia said.
Justin placed the posters on the table he'd made from the hastily written up lists they’d worked on the night before. “Have a read through those and tell me if you have any questions,” he said
“Nah, it’s fine,” she said, but her face looked anything but like things were fine.
“I know you’re not used to all this but you will get used to it, Soph, this is the way that things will be from now on.”
“I know,” Sophia said. “Is that the only thing you wanted to talk to me about?”
Destiny looked at her daughter’s face. Something wasn’t right. “So you’re good with all these changes then?” she asked.
“Yes, Mom, I’m fine, I told you that.” Sophia was getting irritated. “Can I go to my room now? I won’t turn my TV on, I can’t anyway, I have no cable. I just want to read my book.”
“I want to talk to you about your stuff too, Sophia,” Justin said.
“Can I have it back soon?”
“You can have it back tomorrow afternoon after homework, provided I don’t hear that you’ve been rude to your mom,” Justin said.
“Okay,” the little girl said quietly. “Can I go to my room?”
“Yes, you can.” Justin said.
Destiny waited until she was sure that Sophia would be in her room and then she pounced on Justin. “Something’s really wrong with her. I’ve never seen her so quiet. What if we’ve broken her spirit or something?” she asked.
“Seriously, Desi? You think we’ve broken our daughter by imposing a few rules? She didn’t even complain.”
“That’s what makes me think that something is really wrong. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is but I know my daughter and something is not right with her. I’m going to go and talk to her and see if I can figure out what the problem is.”
“I’ll go,” Justin said.
“Be nice to her,” Destiny said.
“Do you really think I’m some kind of tyrant?” he asked.
“Of course not,” she said. “I’m sorry, I’m just worried that’s all. She went away last night happy and came back miserable.”
“Actually, her change of mood didn’t see to come around until the talk about the rules,” Justin said. “It’s more than likely got something to do with that.”
“We’ve done it now, I told you these rules were too harsh. We’ve gone and broken her.” Destiny was working herself up into a lather.
Justin ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Stop,” he said. “You are being over dramatic. Soph was a little quiet, I’ll give you that and I’m going to go and talk to her in a bit. She said she wanted to read her
book, maybe that’s all it is. She could be tired and want a bit of alone time.”
“It’s not any of those things, she’s hurting, Justin. Just because you work with kids, doesn’t mean you know everything about kids. This little girl and I have been together from the moment I gave birth to her and I know when she wants something and when she is really hurting. That is a hurt kid and I don’t want to wait. Either you go up there or I will.”
Justin held his hands up in mock defense. “Okay, I’m listening. I’ll go, not because I think I can handle it better but because I’m probably the cause. If she is upset about the rules, I will explain to her again why I think they’re important.”
“Is that your way of saying you’re not adjusting them?” she asked.
“No, it isn’t, but I’m not adjusting them. They’re not unreasonable. We haven’t even added a chores list yet. I thought we’d do that once we all live here together.”
“Chores now? What’s next a summer job and paper route? She’s nine years old for God’s sake. If you’re going to say to me that Lily-Grace does chores, well she shouldn’t, she should be allowed to be a kid.”
“You need to stop or you and I are going to have words.”
“You need to stop or you and I are going to have words,” Destiny mimicked. “That’s your answer to just about everything isn’t it?”
“That’s enough, Desi,” he said. “You have crossed the line.”
“What line? The invisible line of bossiness that exists only in your own mind? Maybe I don’t want to stop. Maybe you can’t make me stop.” Okay, that was possibly the most stupid thing she could have said. What was she trying to do by baiting him? Was she seeing how far she could push him? Apparently, she had pushed him far enough on this occasion.
He grabbed her hand and towed her through house, past the kitchen and into the garage through the internal door. He kicked the door shut behind him, sat on an old desk chair and yanked her over one knee. “You are unbelievable,” he said. “I heard you; I heard that you really believed that Sophia was upset and I wanted to go and talk to her.” He brought his hand down with a sharp smack.
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