I laughed and nodded. “Okay, that’ll be perfect. Thank you.”
Jimmy brought Tara in for a hug and winked at me. “You’re welcome. So, show me the way.” He motioned towards the back of the house. I glanced at Dean. He was fussing over Jeremy, who was fussing over his new toy. As we got to the kitchen, Tara placed a bottle of Prosecco on the counter.
“That’s my favorite.”
Dean looked up, smiled, and focused back at Jeremy. Tara winked. “I know. That’s why I got it for you.”
“Thanks, babes. I’ll crack that open. Jimmy, the barbecue is just through those doors.”
Jimmy kissed the top of Tara’s head, rolled up his imaginary sleeves, and walked towards the back door. “Got it.”
Tara looked over at Dean and Jeremy, then back at me. Jeremy giggled at something Dean said, so Tara leaned in. “Jeremy seems to be getting along with Dean.”
I nodded. “He instantly loved him but, then again, I can’t blame him for that.”
Tara looked at me with a concerned expression. “How are you holding up? I know things have been tough on you lately.”
“It’s been hard, but I think I need to deal with this day by day. It was a shock to see Dean again, but I really shouldn’t have expected anything different.”
Tara looked over to them both and then back at me. “I can see that he loves you.”
I smiled and nodded, thinking it best to change the subject for now. “I’m just going to take each day as it comes. That’s all I can do.” I sighed and then gave her a cheeky grin. “So, how are things with loverboy? You’ve been practically joined at the hip since he came over a couple weeks back.”
Tara looked into the distance, a dreamy expression on her face. She then looked towards Jimmy, who was now taking his top off. Her eyes widened. “How could you not want to spend every waking moment with that? Have you seen his muscles? I’ve been walking around like John Wayne for the past two weeks. He’s fucking insatiable.”
I started laughing and Dean looked up with a smile. What I wouldn’t give to be walking around like John Wayne right now. I remembered how good it felt to be fucked by Dean, but I also remembered how it felt when he made love to me. I wanted to feel that more than anything right now. It didn’t help when he penetrated me with those eyes and smiled at me the way he did. It always felt like the first time. I went right back to when I was six.
Tara nudged me. “Stop drooling,” she whispered with a giggle.
I gasped. “I’m not drooling.”
Tara shook her head. “Girl, you are so drooling, but I would if I had that, too.” She looked over at Dean with a smile, then winked at me.
I giggled. “Come on, Tara. Let’s catch some rays.” I looked over at Jeremy who was still playing his new toy. “Jeremy, shall we get you changed?”
Jeremy contemplated. “I want Dean to do it.”
I looked at Dean to see if he was okay with it and he nodded. “Okay. His swimsuit is already on the bed.”
Dean nodded and took Jeremy by the hand. They soon disappeared upstairs. “It looks like I’ve been made redundant.” I rolled my eyes at Tara.
“Oooo, is someone getting jealous? You should be happy. He is the father, after all.”
We walked out together and Tara whistled at Jimmy, who quickly came over and smacked her on the ass. Tara squealed as we both made our way to the lounge chairs to lay down.
“It’s just strange, Tara. Jeremy has known Dean for barely twenty-four hours and has already taken to him.”
Tara swung her legs up on the lounge chair. “I can see that. All the time I’ve seen him with Evan, he was never once like that.” She looked at me with a frown. “Have you heard from Evan at all?”
I cringed and shook my head. “No. And I keep thinking I should give him some space. If it were me, I wouldn’t want my ex to keep calling and reminding me that he’s still around every day.” I looked at Tara and she nodded. “Have you seen much of him at the hospital?”
Tara sighed. “Occasionally, but not much. He’s been taking on a lot of work lately. When I do see him, he looks kind of sad, but I would say he’s getting on. It certainly hasn’t affected his work.”
I closed my eyes with a sigh. “Well, at least that’s something. I haven’t really been going to the hospital that much to read anymore, either. I’ve been a couple of times since, but I’m just so afraid of bumping into him. I know that sounds selfish.”
Tara shook her head. “You can’t say it’s selfish. You’re a busy woman who is taking care of her kid by herself. I know you’re off work for the summer holidays, but that still doesn’t mean to say you’re not busy. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You go when you can.”
Tara looked at me sternly and I nodded with a smile. “Yes, Miss Tara.” I winked at her and she smiled back.
Jeremy soon emerged, Dean following. All he was wearing were his surfer swimming trunks and, by fuck, he looked good. I couldn’t help but lick my lips a little.
“Shit,” Tara uttered under her breath. “How can you concentrate?” She looked over at Jimmy and laughed. “Is it my birthday or something? When does the music start so they can both take their clothes off?”
I started laughing. “They haven’t got much on as it is.”
Tara shook her head as she leered at Jimmy. “Damn fine.”
I giggled just as Jeremy came bounding up to me. “Mommy! Mommy, Dean has my name on his body!” He grabbed Dean by the hand and dragged him towards us. “Look!”
I looked up at Dean as he shrugged. I leaned forward and pinched Jeremy’s cheek. “I know. That’s because you’re special and everyone knows it.”
Jeremy looked up at Dean, then at Jimmy. “Dean says they’re tattoos. I like tattoos. Even Jimmy has tattoos. Can I get one?”
Everyone laughed. “No, it doesn’t work like that, honey,” I said.
Jeremy frowned. “Why not?”
“Because tattoos are for adults. You can’t have one until you’re at least eighteen because they’re a permanent mark on your skin. You have it for life.”
Jeremy looked animated. “So, Dean will have my name on his body forever?”
I nodded. “Yes.” I looked up at Dean with a smile. “He will.”
Jeremy gasped. “Wow, that’s cool. Dean has dragon tattoos on his back. They’re fighting, but Dean says the good dragon wins because that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
I looked up at Dean, raising my eyebrow. I remembered that night all those years ago. The night he told me the bad dragon wins.
“That is the way it should be.” Dean kept staring at me and my heart rate picked up.
For a brief moment, I looked down and spotted the lotus flower on his shoulder. It was then I remembered. “Thank you for the flowers.”
Dean smiled. “You’re welcome.”
More staring commenced. Wow, I would never tire of that.
Jeremy tapped my shoulder. “Can I go in the pool now?”
I snapped myself out of it and looked at Jeremy. “Of course, but you have to have sunscreen on.”
“I already did that.” Dean gazed down at me with a smile.
“Are you coming in with me?” Jeremy expectantly looked up at Dean.
Dean ruffled his hair. “Of course, grown-up, but I have to do something first. Will you help me?”
I looked over at Tara with a frown and she shrugged. I didn’t have long to wait. Before I knew it, Dean bounded over and scooped me up in his arms. Tara and Jimmy laughed and Jeremy giggled.
“Put me down!” I protested.
Dean looked down at Jeremy. “What do you think, grown-up? Should we throw her in?”
Dean fist-pumped the air. “Yes!”
“Jeremy, how could you?” I looked down at him and smiled.
“Will you help me take Mum to the pool? She’s a little heavy.”
I slapped Dean on the shoulder. “Hey! Watch it.”
Dean winked at me and leaned into my ear. “I’l
l be doing a lot more than watching it later.”
My pussy burned with anticipation. If it wasn’t for the fact we had a little someone watching, I would have taken him in for a kiss. I so wanted those lips on mine.
I was so caught up in our stare, I didn’t even notice Dean was standing by the edge of the pool.
“Are you ready, grown-up?” Jeremy nodded.
“Don’t you dare! I still have my dress on!” I shouted, but it was no use.
Jeremy took the other side of me and Dean started swinging. “One, two…three!”
They threw me in and I landed with a big splash. I screamed, but all that did was make Jeremy laugh even harder. In fact, everyone was laughing.
I wiped my wet hair from my eyes. The water was cold, but it was nice in the heat of the day. “That was not funny, guys!”
Jeremy giggled even harder and ran towards the pool. “Geromino!” He splashed beside me and water went everywhere. Dean soon joined in and water was being splashed all over me. The ruckus and the giggling stopped as I gave them my best unamused look.
Dean looked at Jeremy for a moment. “Your mother looks beautiful when she’s wet, doesn’t she?” He looked back at me with a cheeky wink and I knew what kind of wet he really meant.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “You are so dead.”
Dean looked at me challengingly. “I can’t wait for when that happens.”
“Dean, will you throw me?”
Dean looked over at Jeremy and nodded. I took that as my cue to get out of the water. “Don’t you throw him around too much, Dean. He’ll get sick.”
He nodded with a wink. “Yes, Mummy.”
I huffed, splashed water his way and Jeremy giggled again. Once I was out of the pool, the water from my dress went everywhere. I looked over at Tara and shook my head. “Boys!”
Tara laughed. “You can’t live with them and all that.”
“It would be too boring!” Jimmy shouted with a wink.
“Amen to that!” She saluted with her refilled glass of Prosecco.
“When did you get that?”
Tara winked. “Jimmy went and got it for us while all the ruckus was going on.”
I walked over to the table by the lounge chairs and picked up my glass. “Thanks, Jimmy.”
He turned around from the barbecue and saluted me. “Don’t mention it.” He then placed some meats on the grill.
“Are you okay over there?”
Jimmy turned. “I got my beer,” he motioned with one hand. “And I got my turning device. I’m all set.”
I laughed. “You mean your tongs, Jimmy.”
He raised them up and clicked them together. “Those are the ones. Unless you’re talking about Tara’s tongs. I could do a lot with them.” Jimmy winked at Tara and she laughed.
“How’s my Johnson doing, Jimmy?” Tara yelled. I didn’t have a clue what the hell she was talking about.
Jimmy turned and winked back at her again. “Oh, he’s fine after what happened this morning.”
Tara giggled and I knew straight away what they were talking about. I rolled my eyes. “Oh, god…”
I moved closer to Tara and she shrunk away from me. “Can you keep away from me? You’re getting me all wet.”
“Charming!” I shook my head and lifted my dress off. Luckily, I was wearing a bikini underneath.
“Wow, girl. Have you been working out?”
I looked down at Tara and nodded. “A little. I seemed to stop for a while after having Jeremy.” I put my dress over a nearby chair to dry and sat down.
“You’re looking good.”
“Thank you.” I lay down and looked at the pool. It was only then I realized that Dean was staring at me, lust in his eyes.
“He can’t keep his eyes off you.”
Dean threw Jeremy a couple of times and Jeremy squealed. It was kind of strange being in this situation with Dean. It was almost like we had adapted straight into a family life. I wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or uneasy about it.
I looked back at Tara. “It’s hard for me to look away, too.” I had to admit that. It was pointless hiding my feelings.
“Do you think you’ve forgiven him?”
I took a sip of my Prosecco and placed it back down. “I really don’t know, Tara. A part of me wants this so much.” I gestured to the scene in front of us. “It’s always been what I’ve dreamed of. You don’t know how many times I used to sit there and picture this very moment as a young girl. Dean and I even talked about it when we were kids.”
Tara’s eyebrow raised. “You did?”
I nodded. “Yeah. We would sometimes talk about our future. Once, Dean showed me what he saw in his, and I told him what I saw in mine. It was virtually the same.”
Tara sipped her wine. “So, what differences were there?”
“Well, I wanted a house big enough for us and our two children. I would either be a journalist or kindergarten teacher, and Dean would cuddle up to me every night.” I smiled, thinking about it.
“That’s sweet. What did Dean want?”
“Oh, you know, the usual big house with a hundred cars parked out front.” I started chuckling. “He said he wanted five kids.”
Tara’s eyes widened. “Five kids?” I nodded. “Wow, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do to make that.”
I shook my head. “No way, Tara. Never that many children. I think two is just enough for this overpopulated world, don’t you think?”
Tara studied me for a while. “Hmmm, but did he still want the cuddles? Not many men like cuddling up.”
A flash of memories rushed past, making me smile. “Dean and I used to cuddle up a lot. Never too long, though, because he said it was hard doing it when he knew he couldn’t touch me. He’d climb up my window, and we’d play card games and stuff. But sometimes, we would just sit and watch a movie. Those were my favorite times because I got to cuddle up with him, be near him, smell him.” I looked away from Tara, embarrassed by my confession.
“Wow, you really loved him, didn’t you?”
I sighed, looking over at Jeremy and Dean playing in the pool together. “I do.”
Tara smiled and patted my hand just as Jimmy shouted, “Lunch is nearly ready!”
I shot up out of my chair. “I’d better get the table ready.”
Tara got up with me. “Just show me what to do and I’ll help you.”
We quickly gathered all the plates, salad, and rolls from the kitchen. We grabbed more beer for Dean and Jimmy and, pretty soon, we were all sitting down to eat.
After biting into my burger, I motioned towards Jimmy. “This is delicious.”
He winked at me. “I told you. I’m king of the barbecue.”
“King of everything else, as well,” Tara muttered under her breath.
Jimmy beamed at Tara and she smiled back. “So, Dean, Jessica tells me you’ve known each other since she was six. I bet you have a lot of stories to tell.”
Jeremy sat there, expectantly looking at him. Dean smiled and looked across at me. “Yes, we certainly have a story or two. The first time we even met, I hit a boy who was being rude to her.”
Jeremy’s eyes widened. “You did?” Dean nodded. “No one hurts my mommy,” he pouted.
Dean put his hand out. “You got that right, grown-up.” They high-fived each other and Jeremy giggled. They just seemed so right together. It was unreal.
“We used to play a lot of games when we were young,” Dean continued.
Jeremy’s posture picked up. “Like what?”
Dean looked at Jeremy. “Like that card game I showed you yesterday, and also Truth or Dare.”
“What’s Truth or Dare?”
Dean frowned. “You mean you don’t know, grown-up?” Jeremy shook his head. “Mummy, how could you have not told Jeremy about Truth or Dare?” He leaned over to Jeremy and whispered, “She used to love playing that with me.” He winked at him, then smiled back at me.
“Show me! Show me. I wan
na play!” Jeremy jumped up and down and everyone laughed as we carried on eating.
Dean looked over at me for a moment. “Okay, I’ll start. Mum, you first. Truth or dare?”
I scowled a little at him for starting this. “Truth.”
Dean gave me a cheeky grin. “Have you ever rang on someone’s doorbell and ran away?” He raised his eyebrow and Jeremy looked at me, waiting for an answer.
I closed my eyes for a moment, knowing exactly where this was heading. “Yes, I have. When I was younger, I used to ring on Mrs. Baxter’s bell. Her screaming after me was way too funny.”
Jeremy laughed. “You’re a naughty mommy.”
I nodded in agreement. “Yes, I was, Jeremy. I realize that now.”
“Your turn, Mum.” Dean looked at me and I stared back at him.
“Okay, Dean. This one’s for you. Truth or dare?”
Dean smiled. “Dare.” He shifted in his seat, waiting.
“I dare you to put a pair of underpants on over your shorts and run around the street out front, shouting ‘I’m Superman’.”
Dean’s eyes widened and everyone giggled. “I can’t do that.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Are you forfeiting the dare?”
Dean placed his burger on the plate. “Uh-uh, no way.”
I motioned with my hands. “Well, you’d better get a move on.” I winked and he smiled back.
“You’ll never get away with this.”
I leaned forward and whispered “Oh, I believe I just did.”
Dean shook his head and got up out of his seat. Everyone else followed suit, cheering.
“I have got to see this!” Jimmy shouted.
We all walked into the house and Dean disappeared upstairs. When he reappeared, he was wearing a white pair of Calvin Klein fitted boxer shorts. If he had been wearing only those, I would have died, but he just looked so comical.
He shook his head at me. “I can’t believe you’re getting me to do this.”
I placed my hand on his chest and pouted. “Oh, don’t be such a baby.”
Jeremy laughed loudly, jumping up and down. “Do it, do it, do it!” he chanted over and over again.
Dean ran his hands through is hair and opened the door. He then ran out, arms open wide, shouting, “I’m Superman” over and over again.
Redemption Page 15
