Southern Heartbreaker

by Jessica Peterson

  “And Bryce. Yes. We’re going to really do this. Just remember I’m new to the step-parenthood game. I’ve never dated a guy with a kid before. Not seriously, anyway.”

  “First rodeo. Right. We’ll give you all the time you need. That being said—and I know I’m biased—but considering how tonight went, I think you’ll be riding the sh—the stuff out of this bull in no time.”

  She lowers her voice. “You’re setting me up for a ‘haha I rode the stuff out of you’ moment, aren’t you?”

  “That’s what she said,” I say. And then I lean over and press a hot kiss to her mouth. She replies with a throaty chuckle, setting down the knife to put her hand on my face and kiss me.

  “So,” she says when she draws back, letting out a breath as she goes up on her toes, falls back on her heels. Like she’s as rocked by this development as I am.

  “So. What made you change your mind?”

  Eva lifts a shoulder. “A lot of things. I’ve been watching you with Bryce. I’ve been watching your parents with you. I chatted with Julia, too, about her experience as a parent. She said something that stuck with me—that basically I get to be the author of my own story. And that it’s within my power to have a different story, with a different ending, than my own parents’ story.”

  “I like that,” I say. “Rebecca and I used to talk a lot about stuff like this, actually. How we wanted to incorporate the good stuff we took away from our childhoods into our own parenting, but leave behind the not-so-good stuff. I think it’s really common, actually, to want to make changes. Raise your kids differently than the way you were raised. Part of the American dream, no? To have each generation do better than the last. I think that applies so much to parenting.”

  I notice Eva doesn’t so much as blink at the mention of my wife’s name. Same as she didn’t when she asked how Rebecca died. Eva just listens.

  It’s a lot to take on—not only a single dad with a kid in tow, but a guy with a pretty heavy past. Not everyone could do it. A few dates have disappeared on me when I’ve shared parts of my story.

  But Eva? Eva is here to stay. Not only that, she’s taking a big risk, and changing her mind in a big way.

  She’s doing it for me.

  “Right,” she says. “I mean, now that I’m an adult, and I’ve been on my own for a while, I have a lot of sympathy for my parents, and a more nuanced understanding of the choices they made. But it’s been liberating to finally realize I don’t have to repeat history.”

  I look at her. She looks back. “Powerful stuff. I’m proud of you for digging deep. And I’m grateful you’re giving us a chance.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, I’m only sticking around for the boat.” Eva slips a hand behind me and pinches my ass. “And maybe the Range Rover. All kidding aside—I want you to know that I’m taking this responsibility very seriously. Being around Bryce. You’re trusting me with your family, and I understand what a huge thing that is.”

  “And I understand what a huge thing you’re doing by giving us a chance.”

  “Thanks for that.”

  She kisses me again.

  All this kissing. A man could get used to it.

  “What next?” she asks.

  I turn off the water. “Honestly? I have no clue.” I take the towel from her shoulder and wipe my hands on it. “I haven’t dated much since Bryce was born, so we’re both kind of newbies to this game.”

  “Okay. Well. You’re the DILF—”

  “Miss Eva, what’s a DILF?”

  Eva and I look up to see Bryce watching us intently. One of the poor baby doll’s legs still in her hand, the doll hanging upside down.

  “Oh God,” Eva says, voice low. “I’m…gah, I’m really sorry.”

  Ninety-nine percent of the time, I love having an inquisitive daughter. Hardly anything gets past this kid; she’s smart as a whip and wants to know everything about anything.

  But moments like this make me wish Bryce was the tiniest bit less precocious. Certainly would make life easier sometimes.

  “DILF is a kind of…pizza,” I blurt. “It’s got this special, er, sauce on it.”

  “Special sauce,” Eva says, lips twitching. “That’s it exactly. A pizza with a special kind of sauce.”

  When Bryce turns back to her doll, I lean in to murmur in Eva’s ear.

  “Don’t even go there,” Eva says before I can utter a word, putting a hand on my chest. She shakes her head. “I see your wheels turning, and the last thing we need is Bryce overhearing a dirty joke about your special sauce and how much I like it.”

  “But it’s such good sauce.”

  “Your mind really is in the gutter.”

  I press my groin into her hip. “When it comes to you? Always.”

  “You were saying?”

  “You were saying, actually. But I know what you were about to ask.” Reluctantly I step back, tugging a hand through my hair with a sigh. “I guess we just…try it out. The dating thing. Figure out our new normal and see how it goes.”

  “Okay.” Eva rolls her lips between her teeth. “I like that. Seems like a good place to start, anyway. You take the lead and I’ll happily follow.”

  I curl my palm around her neck. “I like it when you take the lead, too.”

  I search her eyes. They’re full. Vulnerable.

  A beat of lust, potent and real, passes between us. I can almost see the air shimmer with it.

  Ugh, this woman.

  Ugh, my dick. Having the two girls in my life in the same room is going to take some adjustment. Adjustment in the literal and figurative sense—I reach down to nudge my dick to the left. Less visible that way.

  “Bryce and I should get going,” I say hoarsely.

  “Yeah,” she replies, sounding like she’d very much like us to stay.

  Summoning every ounce of willpower I have left, I brush my lips against Eva’s forehead. For half a beat she closes her eyes. For half a beat I linger there. Lips on her skin. The two of us standing on the edge of something miles high.

  Or maybe we’re at the bottom, a miles high climb ahead of us.

  Either way, I’m glad to be standing there with Eva.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Ford

  Ford: Wanna sext?

  Eva: What the…

  Ford: Bryce just went down and daddy has some alone time. I know you wanna since I couldn’t take you home with me tonight.

  Eva: Ah. I see. What’s wrong with good old fashioned phone sex?

  Ford: Bryce is a super light sleeper. Don’t want to risk waking her up to the sounds of…well, you know. Plus I’ve never sexted before and I thought you’d like to pop my cherry.

  Eva: I’ve never sexted either.

  Ford: Look at us! Losing our sexting virginity to each other.

  Ford: Hang on, let me go put on some Counting Crows.

  Eva: God how cheesy were we? Pretending to be Reese Witherspoon and Ryan what’s-his-name. Cruel Intentions wasn’t even that great of a movie.

  Ford: I remember it being good. The sex. The movie was meh.

  Eva: The sex was really good, wasn’t it?

  Ford: I was there, so yes. Let’s do it again.

  Eva: You naked?

  Ford: Not yet.

  Eva: Opposed to sending nudes?

  Ford: Nope.

  Ford: Wait, should I be? No one’s ever asked me for nudes before.

  Eva: Your nudes will be safe with me.

  Ford: Hang on

  Ford: [Picture of myself shirtless in bed, thumb crooked in the waistband of my sweatpants, shitty Ryan Philippe impersonation smolder-type expression]

  Eva: Yep I’m in for the sexting. Good thing you caught me—I was just about to PTFO.

  Ford: At nine? On a Friday?

  Eva: The horror, I know. I’m beat. Can you type with just one hand?

  Ford: We’re about to find out. Cost of entry is a pic of you.

  Eva: [Picture of her propped up against the pillows in bed, strap
of her tank top hanging off her shoulder. Outline of her nipple visible through the tank. Amazing, effortless smolder-type expression, tugging on bottom lip with teeth]

  Ford: Fuck why are you so much better at this than me?

  Eva: Pull the sweats down…

  Ford: Down. My dick is out to play. Baby I’m HARD

  Ford: We’re in my kitchen. Just the two of us. You’re wearing my shirt like you were that morning. No panties. Leftover whipped cream on the counter.

  Eva: Food porn in the literal sense.

  Ford: Your kind of fantasy. Take off that tank top.

  Eva: [Picture of her bare tits propped up over her tank top]

  Ford: my god

  Eva: Okay. So I’m standing with my hip against the counter. I dip my finger into the cream and put it in your mouth.

  Ford: I swirl my tongue around your finger. Give it a slow gentle suck

  Ford: Then I kiss you and do the same to your tongue.

  Eva: Then you dip your first two fingers into the cream. Mouth still on mine, you back me against the counter. Your hand goes low and you cup my pussy.

  Eva: You tell me you’re going to eat me for dessert. I tell you you’re being cheesy, but I part my legs a little, and you take it as an invitation. You run your thumb up and down my seam,

  Ford: Okay yeah you’re really good at this

  Eva: I’m the author aren’t I [purple demon Emoji with wicked smile]

  Ford: Fuck you’re wet. So I rub the cream onto your clit. Back and forth, covering it. Circling it. You make these noises.

  Eva: What noises?

  Ford: These little panting gasps. I fucking love it because it means you’re losing yourself to me.

  Eva: Like I am now?

  Ford: You touching yourself?

  Eva: Yeah

  Ford: Christ

  Ford: Okay so I grab you and lift you onto the countertop. I grip your knees and hold them apart while I duck down and lick the cream off your pussy. You taste so good baby. Sweet and salty

  Eva: I unbutton the shirt

  Eva: It falls open, and I start to touch my nipples.

  Eva: [Picture of her thumbing her nipple]

  Ford: [Picture of my dick in my hand]

  Ford: I lick you back to front. You put your heels on the edge of the countertop so you’re spread nice and wide

  Eva: I watch you go down on me and put the other hand on the top of your head. Run my fingers through your hair.

  Eva: You grunt

  Eva: You suck on my clit

  Ford: I lick lower, curling my tongue inside your pussy. You like that

  Eva: So much

  Eva: Ford

  Ford: Yeah?

  Eva: I like you so much. This is fun.

  Ford: You’re welcome. I’m just sorry I can’t be there. Like we can’t actually be together.

  Eva: Bryce comes first. We can work around the rest [winky face Emoji]

  Ford: Good thing we’ve got great imaginations

  Eva: And everyone told us our English majors would be worthless…

  Ford: Idiots. We should’ve never listened. So yeah I’m licking your pussy, but then I take more whipped cream on my fingers and spread it over your nipples. You pull my hair when I stop licking you. But then your head falls back when I take one nipple in my mouth and bite down on it.

  Eva: Teeth

  Eva: Oh god yes

  Eva: Ford I’m going to come soon

  Ford: Hold the fuck on. I’m making this last and so will you. Understood?

  Eva: Yeah it’s just hard

  Ford: Heh that’s what she said

  Eva: Had to sneak that one in there didn’t you? So you’re biting down on my nipples. I have your cock in my hand now that I can reach it. I use my thumb to play with your precum. No wait I use my thumb to put some cream on it…then I slide off the counter and get on my knees and take you into my mouth. Savoring you

  Ford: Yes

  Ford: Yes

  Ford: Yes

  Eva: I cup your balls in my other hand and look at you while I suck your dick

  Eva: I take you all the way to the back of my throat. I reach around and put my hands on your ass and guide you even deeper.

  Ford: K now I’m going to come. I love the head you give. Best of my life no question. Gotta change positions

  Eva: Go for it.

  Ford: Maybe the wood floor is hurting your knees. So I ask you if you’re still into anal play…

  Eva: YES

  Ford: Cool cool

  Ford: So I put my hand in your hair and give it a tug. You moan. Get on your fucking feet I tell you, and you do. I spin you around and bend you over the countertop. I use my leg to spread yours. Lay the fuck down I tell you and you flatten your torso against the countertop.

  Ford: Actually bend over in bed and take a picture of your pussy and ass so I can see them

  Eva: [Picture of her doing exactly that]

  Ford: FUCKKKKKKKKKK

  Eva: You’d better not let Bryce have your phone tomorrow

  Ford: No shit

  Ford: This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me

  Eva: So you’ve got me bent over the countertop…

  Ford: Right shit sorry okay so I bend you over. I decide to take off your shirt and I throw it somewhere. I run my hand down your back, and you shiver.

  Eva: Then you smack my ass. Once.

  Ford: Naughty girl.

  Eva: You smack it again, and the sound is loud. I hiss and you tell me to be fucking quiet.

  Ford: I massage the places where I smack you, soothing the skin, because it stings. But you like that.

  Ford: I’ve got lube in a drawer nearby because this is my fantasy and in my fantasy I keep lube in every room in my house.

  Eva: As one does.

  Ford: Indeed. So I put the bottle of lube on the countertop beside your head so you can see it. But I don’t use it. Because I’m guiding my dick into your pussy first. You whimper when I thrust. I fist your hair in my hand and pull you against me while I pound into you a few times.

  Eva: I go up on my toes

  Eva: Wanting you deeper

  Eva: And that kind of pisses you off because I’m keeping up, but you want to dominate.

  Ford: Fuck yeah I do. I want to make you come apart at the seams. Totally lose your shit.

  Ford: I open the lube and coat a couple fingers with it. I use one to play with your asshole while I slow my thrusts. I guide it inside you and I sink in easily. You’re panting and I feel your pussy tightening around me.

  Eva: Shiiiit

  Eva: I like that

  Ford: You do. You’re ready. Let’s say we warmed you up a little the night before so you’d be ready for my dick today. Because you want my dick inside you. Everywhere. You want me to have you.

  Eva: I do

  Ford: So I sink another finger inside you. This makes you go still but you tell me it’s okay so

  Eva: It’s more than okay. You thrust your fingers and hips in time. I tell you I want more, even though it hurts a little, and you tell me that’s what you’ll give me. So you pull your dick out and circle it over my clit, making me tremble

  Ford: I coat my dick in lube

  Ford: You moan when the head touches your rim. You’re so beautiful from this angle.

  Eva: You go in slowly at first. Holding my hair in your fist while you swivel your hips, careful not to hurt me but intent to have me like this. Sinking in inch by inch.

  Eva: The pressure is unreal. It hurts at first but I like it. A lot

  Eva: It feels taboo. You fucking me in the ass in your kitchen in front of the window.

  Ford: The window! Right. Let’s say anyone can see in

  Ford: But we don’t care

  Eva: We’re too lost to each other

  Ford: I am so lost in you, you have no idea. You’re tight baby. So fucking tight I have never felt anything like it.

  Eva: You sink all the way in. There are tears in my eyes, and you
stop. You ask if I’m okay but I tell you this is exactly what I wanted. The pain. Because sometimes I like it to hurt.

  Ford: [Picture of my huge cock throbbing in my hand]

  Eva: God you’re gorgeous

  Ford: I rear back. Roll my hips forward. Your hole loosens a little so you don’t resist me as much. We both are fucking shouting and moaning and jesuzzzzz I really am going to come

  Eva: Me too

  Eva: So close

  Eva: I’m gonna finish with my vibrator

  Ford: Do it

  Eva: Okay I have it.

  Ford: My dick’s in your ass but my fingers are on your clit. I rub them just like you’re rubbing yourself right now

  Ford: *rub your clit I mean

  Eva: Ford

  Ford: Pic

  Eva: [Picture of her with her vibrator on her pussy, her hand playing with her other nipple]

  Ford: That’s it

  Ford: I’m coming

  Eva: You play with my clit while you start thrusting

  Ford: I’m coming

  Eva: You grunt

  Ford: I’m comi

  Eva: You say my name

  Eva: You come inside my asshole

  Ford: [Blurry picture of my chest and a tissue]

  Eva: [Better picture of her face, mouth open, eyes closed]

  Ford: Wow

  Eva: That got real dirty real fast. Loved it.

  Ford: Me too. Sexting is hot. I get why all the cool kids are doing it.

  Eva: How are you feeling?

  Ford: Sticky.

  Eva: Ha.

  Ford: I miss you.

  Eva: This is a shitty thing to admit over text

  Eva: But I’m really glad I have you. To try on all these new things with.

  Ford: New things? Parenthood? DILFs?

  Eva: [Crying laughing Emoji]

  Eva: Yes. Exactly. Although doesn’t mean I’m not scared out of my mind. Again, shitty thing to admit over text, but…

  Ford: I’m scared too. But I think you’re going to do great. I think we’re going to be great, E.

  Ford: Mostly because we’re so compatible re: our feelings on anal.

  Eva: Mind in the gutter.

  Ford: Mind on you. Always.

  Eva: I think that orgasm just sent me over the edge. Just got super sleepy. Gonna get cleaned up and hit the hay.

  Ford: Thanks for this. Appreciate you “working around it”