“I’m. Going. To. Come.” Panting turns to gasping, barely keeping up as he increases his speed.
“I want you to,” he murmurs against my skin. I can’t take it anymore. Shaking my head from side to side, I pull on his hair as I come hard, feeling the pulse vibrate through my body. It doesn’t slow him down; in fact, it seems to drive him faster. I can feel his tongue inside me, lapping and diving deep as my muscles contract around it.
I don’t know how long it lasts or how many spasms wrack my body. Not until Henry’s hovering above me do I come back down from the high.
“I. You.” Somewhere in my brain is an intelligent sentence. Right now, it’s like I need to learn how to speak again.
He laughs, not mockingly, but lovingly. Leaning down, he kisses my lips. Sweet mixes with the saltiness of my orgasm on his tongue.
“We’re moving this party. Wrap your arms around my neck.” I do as he asks and hold on while he carries me back to the bedroom.
Tossing the sheets and blankets off, he lays me in the middle, my knees still bent even though they feel like jelly.
“Clothes.” There’s my higher brain function. Somehow I manage to sit up enough, allowing me to grab his shirt from behind his neck, pulling it over his head and tossing it to the floor. Next I work on his belt, dragging it through the loops until it thuds against the carpet. His jeans and boxer briefs follow suit.
This is my present. A gloriously naked Henry. This man brings me to my knees. He’s perfection in my eyes, a mix of sexiness and manliness. Hair sprinkles his chest, including the trail leading down to his impressive erection.
No more games tonight. I won’t stop him or hold back. This is our night.
“What about you?” he asks. I roll onto my stomach, exposing the zipper in the back.
“Can you help me with this?” Looking over my shoulder, I let my gaze drift from his dilated eyes to his bobbing cock. I’m glad we left the lights on. This is one show I want to watch.
He slowly drags the zipper down, allowing his finger to trail over every inch of newly exposed skin. When it stops in the middle of my back, I roll over again, this time dragging the top of the dress over my shoulders before shimmying out of it.
I’m still trying to get used to being comfortable with my body around him. My stomach isn’t flat and my breasts sag slightly from having the kids. Faint silvery stripes mark my skin. But he doesn’t care.
Henry crawls onto the bed with me, pushing my legs apart with his knees. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m not perfect,” I say quietly.
Leaning on his forearms, he brings his face to mine. “I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for beauty. And you, Jocelyn, are the most beautiful creature alive.”
“But these…” I trail a finger over one of the stretch marks. He follows the path with his own finger before pressing his palm flat against my stomach.
“You see them as ugly. I see them as giving life. You earned these scars. They’re a part of you. And I’ve told you before, I want every.” Kiss. “Single.” Kiss. “Part.” Kiss. “Of you.”
He deepens the kiss while positioning himself at my entrance. His thick crown slowly pushes in, taking with it all the air from my lungs. Unlike the scene on the couch, Henry takes his time, letting me feel every inch as he buries himself to the hilt. I lean up, resting my forehead against his shoulder as I bite into it, leaving a faint mark. A hiss escapes him when I dig my nails into his back.
I’ve always thought this position was boring, but with Henry, it’s like I’m experiencing it for the first time. He’s hitting places I didn’t know existed, bringing my body to ecstasy with each thrust of his cock.
Alternating from shallow to deep, we find a rhythm of our own, never breaking position, never leaving our mouths empty. If he’s not kissing me, his lips are wrapped around my nipple, using his teeth to gently tug until the first bite of pain, then licks it away, only to repeat the process. I, on the other hand, keep my lips on his neck, his shoulder, his pecs. When he sits up, dragging my ass to practically sit on his lap while my back stays on the mattress, I run my hand over his stomach, feeling his muscles flex with each thrust. He’s deeper this way, far deeper than any other man has ever reached.
“Henry.” It’s like my brain can only focus on him. Each moan, every sigh and gasping breath is his. He owns me, more than I want to admit. Our infatuation is slowly morphing into something else.
“Too good. You’re too good.” He lifts us up even more and the first warning shot is fired inside me. Warmth spreads through my abdomen, lighting me up until everything explodes. I cry out his name, pulsing and clenching around his cock still working inside me. The sheets are tangled in my fingers as I cling onto anything to keep me on the ground.
With a few grunts, he leans over and jerks several times before he says my name, over and over as he fills my insides.
“Jocelyn.” I’ll never get tired of hearing him say my name like that. So much adoration and worship; as if he’s said it every day of his life.
We fall onto our sides, still connected and covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Every breath takes more energy than it should. Yet we can’t stop touching each other. Our hands trail over the planes of our backs, down our arms before circling back up again. My leg is still slung over his waist as he slowly pulls out.
“Have I told you how amazing you are?” My hand rises and falls with his chest, feeling his erratic heart beat beneath my palm.
I smile, trailing a finger across the stubble of his jaw. “No, but I won’t stop you.”
The world rights itself again as he takes my mouth, kissing me with the gentlest of pecks. This is the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had. Completely worth breaking my “third base” rule.
“You said you had plans?” Somehow my brain comes back to what he said when he first walked in. Henry laughs and tugs me closer, letting my head rest beneath his chin.
“Your plans were way better.”
“Um, I believe you were the instigator in this scenario.”
“I’m calling bullshit on that.” He leans back, catching my chin with his finger. “You were giving me those fuck-me eyes. Then your legs were stretched out for miles. And let’s talk about that dress…”
“Okay,” I say, conceding. “I may have had ulterior motives than being sweet and innocent.”
He sits up, pulling me with him. “You will never convince me that you’re sweet and innocent. I’ve seen the wildcat you are. Not to be tamed, but damn, am I willing to try.”
I crawl off the bed and wrap the sheet around my shoulders. Henry takes it from me, only to pick me up and wrap it around the both of us. Catching my intentions in that uncanny way that he does, he brings us to the couch. Re-adjusting the sheet so we’re lying on it and not the cool leather, he grabs the remote off the floor and turns the TV on. My brain is still fried so by the time I realize what’s going on, I’m too late to stop it.
Instantly, Henry looks down at me with a laugh. “Seriously?”
I cover my face with my hands. “You weren’t supposed to see that.”
Chris Pine’s face fills the screen as blaster sounds flow from the speakers.
“Isn’t it an unwritten rule that you can’t like Star Wars and Star Trek at the same time?”
Henry keeps the remote high above his head, just out of my reach as I try to steal it back.
“There’s no rule for that. Besides, Chris Pine is hot. He’s one of the four hot Chris’s.”
He throws me a confused look. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not.” I lean down and kiss his lips. “It’s a girl thing.”
“Hmm.” He doesn’t say anything else, only looks into my eyes. “I’ve dated a nerd or two, never one like you. But you’re my favorite.”
“Dated?” Confusion laces my words, mainly because we’ve never actually talked about what we are. I’ve been too afraid to put a label to us because th
en it makes us real.
His eyes soften before sitting us up slightly. “You’re not good at paying attention. But just to be clear, yes, I want to date you.” He pauses. “I am dating you and will continue to do so until you say otherwise.”
How is he this sweet? There’s no way he’s supposed to be with me. A man like him deserves someone who can give herself fully and without baggage.
But I can’t say no. He’s become someone I lean on, who I need and would be lost without. As I study his pleading eyes, I give in.
“Okay. We’re officially dating.”
His answering smile is all I need to know I’ve made the right decision. While watching Chris Pine save the universe, a weight lifts off my shoulders. This man knows all my quirks and is still here by my side, holding me like he never wants to let me go.
Brenda was right. This can be my rebirth into a life I’ve always dreamed of. The only problem with dreams is eventually you wake up.
“Mom! Can we go sledding?”
Stupid spring break. Whoever came up with this idea should be shot. A full week of the kids at home is torture. Mike can’t take the week off and neither can I. However, Henry was kind enough to take them since he had Luke and Lauren. Mike doesn’t know that, of course. As far as he knows, I asked a friend for help. I knew he wouldn’t ask any questions since he’s never cared before about where they go. Not to mention he’s been slacking lately with our custody arrangement. He’s canceled his visits over the last two weeks. Connor says to document it all but be cautious. If he tries to rectify it, I may have to agree and give in.
To save Henry’s sanity, I took one day off to spend with the kids. After a lazy morning filled with French toast and sleeping in, they’ve hit the boredom wall.
I look out the window. It snowed earlier this week, giving us another six inches on top of the six that was already on the ground. And, as luck would have it, it’s the perfect snow for sledding. Oh goodie. Everyone knows how much I love going out in the cold.
When the bottom lips come out from the two of them, it’s over. “Fine. We’ll go sledding. Grab your stuff.”
Cassie throws her arms around my neck. “You’re the best mom ever.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Can Luke and Lauren come with?” Jacob asks from the hall closet.
I pinch my brows together. “You four sure are joined at the hips lately.”
Cassie laughs. “That’s because you’re always putting us together. Besides, we like hanging out with them.”
“I’m not even sure what they’re doing?”
Jacob turns and gives me his ‘are you serious’ face. “Call Henry.”
He’s lucky I’m in a good mood or I’d correct him on his sassy mouth. He’s right, of course. And I know Henry wouldn’t mind if I took the kids for a while. Pretty sure he’s working and could use the break.
“Hey, gorgeous.” His silky-smooth voice fills my ear. I can just picture him ducking into the warm storage room to get an ounce of quiet. That’s what he’s told me he does on the rare occasions I call.
“Hey, yourself. I have a question for you.”
“The answer is yes.”
I roll my eyes. “I haven’t asked it yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. Anything you ask me will always be yes.”
“Charmer.” He laughs. “What I’m trying to ask is if the kids would like to go sledding with us? Cassie and Jacob are dead set on doing this.”
“You? Sledding?” Sarcasm drips from his voice, along with a hint of humor.
“I know. Obviously, hell has frozen over. Maybe that’s where all the snow came from?”
“Could be. I’ll ask them.” The line scratches, like he’s pressed the phone against his shirt. Background noises become muted as the seconds tick by. Suddenly, a cheer can be heard, along with Henry’s distinctive laugh. “It’s a go. Good thing I packed their snow gear this morning.”
“Very good thing. Not that it would have been hard to run out to your house.”
The noises change back to the clanging of pans in the kitchen. “Are you trying to kill me, woman? Stop giving me ideas of you in my house, waiting for me to come home.”
“Who said anything like that?”
“Didn’t you?”
I laugh. “No.”
“Huh. That’s what I heard. Are you sure you didn’t say naked in my bed?”
“Henry!”
I can practically hear his smile over the phone. “Fine. Naked but not in bed.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“Kiss me when you see me?”
“Now that I can do.” I bite my bottom lip. I can’t remember a time when I’ve smiled this much. Probably when I was a kid. “I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”
“Okay. They’ll be ready.”
We end the call and I let the kids know they’ll have company. I’m glad things don’t get awkward at the end of our phone calls. No, ‘You hang up first’ shit. I’m not even sure if we’ve ever said bye. Henry doesn’t like the word when it comes out of my mouth, or so he says. Doesn’t like the finality of it. So we just hang up, knowing we’re going to see each other soon. Some things are better left unsaid.
It’s amazing how fast my children move when they want to do something fun. After I dug my snow pants out from the back of the closet and loaded the sleds in the trunk, we made our way downtown to pick up Luke and Lauren. I didn’t bother Henry since the dining room was moderately full, knowing he’s got plenty of tickets to keep him busy. Stacy said she’d let him know I picked the kids up. I thanked her and hustled out as fast as I could.
The old high school hill is the premiere spot for sledding in town. After they removed the school years ago, all that remained were multiple levels that are perfect in the winter. Several kids are already squealing as they fly down the snow-covered hill.
“Everyone have their hats and gloves on?” All the kids lift their hands in the air just to make sure I knew. We park and the minute the last sled is out of the trunk, they’re running as fast as their boot-clad feet can carry them. I stay off to the side, watching them partner up as they take several trips down to the bottom.
“Jocelyn! Ride with me?” Lauren calls out from the top. Like her father, I have a hard time saying no. I make the trek up the hill, my boots sinking into the snow with each step. By the time I reach the top, I’m winded and on the verge of being sweaty. Stupid winter gear. I’m all for being warm, but this is ridiculous.
Lauren scoots back on the sled, but I tap the front, indicating where I need her.
“Hold on tight.” I sit behind her and scoot us closer to the edge until we slide down with ease. The wind blows against our face. Lauren’s excited screams make me smile.
“Again!” she exclaims, jumping off the sled and pulling my hand to follow her.
“No, my turn,” Luke says, running toward us.
Jacob is close behind, not letting him out of his sight. “Don’t you want to ride with me?”
Luke points in my direction. “Just once with your mom. Then we can be hill buddies again.”
Hill buddies? Be still my heart. This is cuteness overload.
I don’t know how long we’ve been here, but all the kids have cleared out and the sun is setting lower over the horizon. This is way too fun to stop now, though. It’s been years since I’ve done this and I forgot how much I used to enjoy sledding with the kids. Even Jacob wanted me to slide with him. Only once, and after he’d done a sweep of the area to make sure none of his friends saw him having fun with his mom.
Taking a break, I lean against a tree off to the side, still in view of the kids. Footsteps stomp behind me, sending an alert to run through my system. When the noise stops right behind me, I freeze until the person puts their hands into my coat pockets and nuzzles into my neck.
“Nice and warm.” He kisses the spot behind my ear, sending a new shiver to run up my spine.
I jab my elbow into his side. �
��Don’t sneak up on me like that. I thought you were trying to kill me.”
He comes around and kisses my nose. “Death by sex?”
I roll my eyes. “Fiend.”
“You made me this way. I’ve had the taste and I need more.”
Pulling on his beanie, I laugh. “You sound like a zombie who needs brains.”
“Why must it be brains? I’m thinking a pussy zombie is more appropriate.”
My laugh echoes around us. “Oh my God, there are kids present. Keep your voice down.”
Henry pulls me flush against his chest, placing his mouth on mine. My cool lips press against his warm ones, melting the icy cold from my bones. Snow starts falling around us, catching in the hair peeking out from under my hat. Henry breaks away, running his fingers through it.
“You’re an angel.”
I shake my head. “More like the devil.”
“Technically, the devil was an angel.”
“And look what happened to him.”
His breath curls around his face as he gives me a toothy grin. “At least he’s not cold.”
I smack his shoulder. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
“Fine.” He looks over his shoulder to the kids. “You think they’re ready to go?”
“Doubtful. I thought they’d be exhausted by now. No such luck.”
“I know how to get them to leave.” With a wink, he walks over to the bottom of the hill, waiting for the kids to slide down.
“Hot chocolate,” he yells at the top of his lungs. I’ve never seen them move so fast in the snow. Four sets of voices chant “Me! Me!” as they race back to my car.
Henry walks back with a smug grin.
“Cheater.”
He stops in front of me, pausing, assessing. Then, without warning, he picks me up and tosses me into a nearby snowbank. All four kids start laughing out loud, telling Henry good job. I wipe the snow from my face, trying my best to suppress a grin.
“You’re going to pay for that.”
Offering his hand, I take it but yank hard enough so he joins me. Peals of laughter can be heard from the kids, along with Henry as he shakes the snow off his hat.
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