by C. Morgan
She looked uncomfortable and focused her attention on our son, who was still splashing and kicking his feet. “He loves the water,” she said, changing the subject.
“Yeah, he really does. But then, he always liked his bath time.”
“I forgot you did that,” she said. “When he was born, you gave him all of his baths.”
“Yeah, that’s what daddies are supposed to do, right? The little fella was so slippery. I thought I’d drop him. But we worked out a system. Unfortunately, the co-parenting thing doesn’t work in all situations.”
“Maybe you could come over sometime and bathe him and tuck him in. If you wanted.” She gave me a hopeful look. “We can make it work however we need to.”
“Yeah? So, like when you go on dates, then I could be your sitter, right? Or when you move another man into my house, I can sit back and watch that too? Maybe I could help him move in?”
“It’s not like that. I was just suggesting that you could hang around more. I’m okay with it, as long as you’re living a decent life.”
“My point is that we have to draw the line somewhere. All of it sounds nice until one of us is replaced, and I can tell you it’s going to be me, and I’m not sitting around to watch it happen. Especially if it’s someone like that Luke guy.” My anger was rising just thinking about him taking my place.
“I didn’t end things because I wanted someone else.”
“I don’t want to talk about it either.” I kicked my feet in the water and felt the lull in the conversation grow uncomfortable.
“Can you watch Jack?” asked Beth. “There’s something I need to do.”
“Sure,” I said, taking hold of Jack’s floatie.
I watched as Beth got out of the water and put a T-shirt on from her bag. She tied it on the side, leaving the cover behind. She gave me a look over her shoulder and marched over to the super slide line and climbed the stairs. I hadn’t seen her do that in ages and figured I’d climb up there before she did.
After waiting for her turn, she went down the slide, and I watched her face light up with a smile as she disappeared in a tunnel. I stood up to see her spat out in the big pool, and when she came up, she was laughing.
“Your mom’s lost her mind.” I sat down and looked at Jack, who was growing sleepy in the floatie. I took him out, and before Beth came back, I gave him a bottle.
“It’s your turn,” she said, wringing out her hair. “I’ll take him, and you go have some fun.”
“I’m good.”
“Come on, Clay. Let’s enjoy it while we can. Who knows? We might never have another day like today, and I, for one, will hate that we didn’t make the most of it. Besides, all of our problems are going to be there when we leave.”
“Fine, but I’ve got just one thing to say to you,” I said, giving her a hard look.
“Yeah?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I can take it.”
“I’m going to show you how it’s done.” I walked away, throwing a look over my shoulder to see her smiling.
After a few turns on the slide between us, we got something to eat and spent the rest of the day enjoying our time with our son together, if only for a little while.
I drove her and Jack home and helped her carry him in. He had fallen asleep in the car seat, so I took him straight to bed.
“I’m going to get going,” I said, tapping on our bedroom door, which she had left ajar.
“I can’t hear you,” said Beth. “You can come in.”
I pushed the door open and found her standing in the bathroom, bare-ass naked and reaching for the shower knob. After she set the water, she glanced back at me, her eyes meeting mine with a lustful look.
“I said I was going to take off.” I couldn’t help but look at her, my eyes lingering on her perfect round ass.
“I had fun today,” she said, picking up the closest towel and holding it in front of her. It draped across her arm but didn’t do anything to hide her curves. “I don’t want it to end.”
“You’re the one calling the shots, Beth.” That might have been true, but there was no way I was going to walk out that door without at least a kiss goodnight.
“Could you stay a while?” She gave me a pleading look.
“I thought it wasn’t going to happen again?” I didn’t want her to keep doing something she really wasn’t feeling. As much as I wanted her, I couldn’t handle the back and forth. I stepped closer and put my hands on her waist. “Tell me to go now because if I stay, I’m not leaving until morning.” If I stayed, I was going to make love to her all night.
“Stay,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
I pulled her closer, cupping her perfect bottom as I kissed her lips. “I told you, Beth. Never say never.”
Chapter 28
Beth
Kissing Clay was the perfect ending to our day.
Our time at the waterpark was the first time in forever that I actually felt like I could do what I wanted, and I didn’t want that feeling to end. I had been so hung up on being an adult and being a good mom to Jack that I had forgotten to have fun when I could.
Even if co-parenting with Clay was hard, I wanted to show him that it could be fun as well, and after we put all of the nonsense aside, we actually had a good time with each other without all of the snide remarks.
“Beth, are you sure?” he asked, breathing against my neck. “I’m serious about staying the night. And if you don’t want to wake up in my arms, then you had better speak now or forever hold your peace.”
“It’s been such a good day, Clay. I’m not ready to let it go. But if it’s going to confuse the situation, then maybe you should leave. But I hope you don’t.” I had wanted him since I saw him in his swim trunks with the water glistening on his tanned skin. He was still the sexiest man alive to me, and I had wished for this all day, even though I’d said otherwise.
He kissed me again, and all I could think about was how naked I was and he was not. I tugged at his shirt, and he pulled it up over his head and tossed it aside as he kicked off his shoes.
Then I went for the button on his jeans, popped it open, and carefully worked his zipper down.
“I guess it’s only fair we pick up where we left off,” he said with a sultry grin. Clay stepped into the shower and held out his hand to help me. “Come here, dirty girl.”
I giggled as I stepped in next to him under the warm water, which felt good on my sun-kissed skin. Clay brushed my hair back from my face and kissed me, walking me back to the tile.
As our kiss deepened, our hands roamed, and mine ended up gripping his thick erection. He cupped my breasts and kissed me down to my nipples. He played with them, causing them to harden.
And just when I thought he wouldn’t go any lower, he dropped to his knees and lifted my leg to his shoulder. He kissed my calf, my knee, and up to the soft flesh of my thigh. His lips sent a tingle right through my core, and by the time he reached my center, I felt like I was going to come undone.
He crouched there, tending to my needs, his tongue not missing one single spot. He closed his mouth on me, kissing me there hard and deep, his tongue penetrating my sex as he fingered my clit.
He worked me into a frenzy in no time, and when he rose up and lifted me off of my feet, I was ready for him.
He put my back against the wall and centered his cock, which I stroked, teasing the head.
“I want it,” I whispered.
“It’s all yours,” he said, looking down to where my hand caressed it. “Take it.”
I dropped to my knees and pumped my hand a few times to prepare myself. When he closed his eyes to the pleasure, I licked my lips and then his head, rolling my tongue in circles around it. I licked the shaft, the entire length from balls to tip, and then I took him inside my mouth and began to suck and tongue-tease.
But I didn’t let him savor the pleasure too long before my body couldn’t wait any longer. My body ached for him to be inside me, and when I stood, he lifted me u
p against him and centered his cock at my entrance. Then he put me against the tiled wall and inched his way in, nice and slow.
“Clay,” I whispered.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll pull out.”
“No. Don’t.” It was as if my words lit him on fire, and before I knew it, he had me up against the wall, pumping his hips quick and hard. As he jackhammered into me, I felt consumed, but it was a nice feeling.
I felt safe with Clay and free to explore. I didn’t have insecurities with him, and that freed me up to immerse myself in the ecstasy between us. How could it ever be this good with anyone else? I couldn’t even imagine myself being naked for another man.
And then I thought of Clay with another woman. And while I had been stubborn enough to think it wouldn’t hurt me, I felt an ache within that was telling me to hold on tight and don’t let go.
“Hold on, Beth,” he said, bringing my attention around as he moved to change walls. “Do you like this? Do you want to go to the bed?”
“Anywhere as long as you don’t stop.” I couldn’t get enough of the pleasure. With every thrust, his cock entered me, hitting my depths and punching all of the sweet spots as if we were made to be together.
He nodded and reached for the tap. When the spray died, he pulled me close again, carrying me carefully from the shower to the sink, where he stopped to get me repositioned.
I shivered with the cool air, and Clay grabbed a towel and put it around me. “Come on. Let’s get you to the bed and warm you up.” His smile was big, and it warmed my heart.
When he laid me back on the bed, he climbed over me, positioning himself above me. He kissed my neck as he played with my nipples, and with the other hand, he rubbed his cock up and down my slit. “You’re so wet for me.”
“You make me that way.” My hands were busy too, one gripping his powerful arms and the other on his cock as he teased my clit.
“Touch it,” he said. And I knew he wasn’t talking about himself.
“Like this?” I reached down and stroked my clit, and he smiled.
“Make it feel good.”
I pleasured myself hard and fast, and he took over, entering me, inching inside of me, nice and slow. He brought my hand up for a taste of my fingers and then kissed my fingertips. “God, you’re sexy, Beth.”
Clay pumped his hips and fucked me harder, taking me to the edge of my release. “I’m so close,” I said, knowing that would only make him work me with more determination than ever. I wanted the release, and more than that, I needed it.
When I finally found it, I moaned out his name. “Clay.”
“I’m right here, baby. Does it feel good?” He ground his hips against me, rutting deeper.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Right there. That’s the spot.” I could feel a pressure building inside me, and suddenly, I was orgasming all over again.
The waves continued to consume me as he worked the tender spot, and finally, he cried out my name, and I felt a tingle as he poured inside of me. “Oh, babe.”
He collapsed next to me, making sure his weight didn’t crush me. Then he scooped me up into his arms and held me close, cuddling at my back as he kissed my shoulder. “I’ve missed this.”
“Are you really going to stay?”
“Yeah, because I’m not done with you yet.” He pushed his hips forward, and I felt his erection poking me in the ass. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yes. I don’t want you to leave.” I closed my eyes and knew I meant that. I didn’t ever want him to leave again.
But something was making me hesitate, and I didn’t know what.
Chapter 29
Clay
I slept hard all night after the lovemaking with Beth, and while I woke up with her in my arms, I still couldn’t believe it had happened again. Especially since she had been so adamant that it would never happen again. I’d warned her.
Beth was the one calling the shots, and as long as it brought me back close with her and Jack, I would go along with it.
Despite the feelings of being needed, I couldn’t help but wonder if she would suddenly pull the rug from beneath my feet, toppling everything I’d done to try and win her back. It was all up to her, and I had to admit, I felt a little powerless to stop it.
It was hard, but I tried not to let myself overthink it as I looked at her.
She stirred next to me, and I kissed her shoulder. And just when she rolled over and cuddled in closer, our son stirred in the next room.
Jack’s cry was like a whimper, and I wondered if he was going to be surprised to see me. “I’ll get him,” I said when Beth tried to get up. “You sleep, babe, I’ve got this.” I got to my feet, feeling quite refreshed from a good night’s sleep and a great night of sex, and found my shorts. After pulling them on, I went into the room next door to check on my son.
I found him lying in his bed on his back, still fussing because whatever he wanted wasn’t coming fast enough. “I hear you, son. I’m right here.” I tried to keep my voice quiet for Beth, but then I realized he probably didn’t hear me.
I leaned over and looked at him. He was kicking his feet and slapping his hands on the mattress. When he saw me, he smiled big, reaching for me while he opened and closed his hands. “Ma-ma-ma-ma.”
“No, it’s Da-da-da-da. Say it for me, just once please?” I wondered if I would ever get to hear him speak it, and a part of me wondered if it was just part of his babble. “Mama’s sleeping, Jack. Daddy is going to take care of you this morning.”
I decided to let her sleep in. Since it was Sunday, she probably didn’t have any plans anyway, and if she did, I knew where to find her list.
I moved Jack to the changing table and changed his diaper, and then I found something comfortable for him to wear and put it on.
“Let’s go see what your mama has on the agenda.” I carried him on my hip and found the calendar on the fridge. Beth had two things written down. One was cleaning, and the other was laundry. I hated both, but after the night she had given me, not to mention the morning, I wanted to do something special for her.
I happened to know that one of the many keys to her heart was organization, so I decided to take care of both.
Once I had the first load of laundry started, I went about cleaning the house, trying hard to remember how Beth liked things done. Even though it had been a few months, I still had her routine down pat, starting with the kitchen and making my way to the bathrooms.
I held Jack on my hip while I could manage, but then I decided to put him in his walker after about an hour of breaking my back.
“You get heavier by the minute,” I said, glad I didn’t have to tote him the entire time. How did Beth do it?
Jack stared up at me with his big blue eyes.
“Come on. Let’s go change the clothes over.” We went to the laundry room, me pushing his walker along with me as I sang a song to make him think it was a game, and thankfully, he stayed content and didn’t fuss.
I found some of Beth’s things she’d left in the dryer from the last few days. She had never left clothes in the dryer while I lived with her, but then, she probably had a lot more time to handle it. Usually, everything was straight from the dryer and folded or hung immediately.
I put them in the laundry basket and brought them to the bedroom, where I dumped them on the foot of the bed next to her feet. I didn’t bother putting them away because I knew she was too particular about her clothes.
Jack made a noise, and I let a soft chuckle escape. “Shh, Mama’s sleeping,” I whispered.
“Mhm,” she said. “Mama’s wondering what you’re doing.” I looked up to see Beth roll over in the bed. “You are louder than you think.”
“I’m sorry. We wanted to have breakfast made before you woke up.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she said, checking the clock with sleepy eyes. “I can’t believe I slept this late. I have a lot to do today.”
I noticed the time and was surprised th
at it was nearly eleven. Jack and I had already worked a full morning.
“You might find that you don’t have as much to do as you think.” I gave her a shy smile, and she sat up in bed and looked at the pile of laundry at her feet. “What’s that?”
“I took it out of the dryer. I’ve been doing laundry. I washed the towels, and I have Jack’s clothes rounded up.” I would have had them done if I hadn’t almost forgotten them.
“Hm.” She looked like she was thinking something, her eyes narrowed. “What’s that you said about breakfast?”
I smiled as Jack and I went to join her in the bed. I put him right between us. “I wanted to make you breakfast, but I was too busy.”
“What did you do?” She pulled the covers over Jack and held him closer.
“I cleaned the kitchen, scrubbed the bathrooms, washed some of the laundry, and tidied up Jack’s room. Anything I could manage without waking you up. I’ll vacuum now that you are awake, though.”
“You’re sweet. But I can do it. In fact, I insist.”
“What do you want for breakfast? You know, besides more of my hot sex. I mean, we have a kid present, so we had better behave, right?”
“Yeah,” she said with a grin. “And I’ll take that amazing French toast you love to make.”
“You got it,” I said, kissing Jack’s head. When I pulled away, she moved forward and kissed me, nearly taking my breath away. “What’s that for?”
She eased back against her pillows. “For helping me. And for breakfast.”
I liked being rewarded with kisses. “You and Jack rest a bit more. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
I went back into the kitchen, feeling happy for a change. This was so much like it had been before, and all I wanted. It wasn’t too hard. I wondered if it was for Beth.
Before I finished cooking the toast, Beth carried Jack into the kitchen and stood back to watch me.
“Not quite finished yet,” I said as she glanced over my shoulder to the skillet.
