I’ve never been taken care of like this. Not the orgasms, or being dressed, or the help with the boys or dinner… none of it. It’s all new.
“That was so hot,” I tell him, my face growing pink at the admission. He steps into boxers, then pulls on his sleep pants.
“It was,” he agrees, winking as he rights his shirt, previously inside out from the urgency with which he stripped out of it.
I want to ask him about the dirty things he said, pull them apart, turn them over in my hands, analyze them with a microscope to see if there’s a shred, a molecule, or even an ion of truth in them. Or were they things simply muttered in theheat of the moment? I run my fingers through my hair, braiding it quickly as Dean fixes my bedspread and then tries to wipe his cum off my fitted sheet.
It must be both truth and dirty talk, because he pretty much admitted that the only reason we haven’t made love yet is because he wants to do it without protection, and that’s serious. Serious enough that we should be sure about each other, and what the other person wants.
He grabs my hand, taking me from my deep thoughts. “Let’s talk tonight. When are you off?”
I think about the day. Wednesday. “Not til seven.” I roll my lips together, taking in his mussed golden hair, and the slight puffiness beneath his eyes. He looks sexy post-sleep. I love him in his cowboy hat, but this is hot, too.
“I talked to the boys about you staying here, you know?” I start, and he nods because of course he knows. He wouldn’t come here and sleep here had I not made sure with the boys first that it was okay. “When I was talking to them, though, Rawley and Tanner, they asked if we were getting serious, and you know what Tanner said?”
Dean swallows, as if he knows instinctually that what’s coming is emotionally weighty. “What?”
“That he could see us being married one day.” My heart is racing a million miles a second, and I hope that Dean knows that this isn’t my awkward way to fish about marriage. “I’m only telling you that because I know you want my boys to know what’s happening between us, and they do. They do and they approve.” I smile. “They adore you Dean.”
They love you. And so do I.I don’t say that much though.
He smiles, then cups my face, kissing my cheek. “Sleep if you don’t have to be in until 9. I’ll make some breakfast, get Archie to school. Rawley drives him and Tanner, right?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He turns for the door but leaves me with a warning. “If you don’t rest, you’re gonna owe me three more, so don’t test me.” A wink, and he’s gone.
And I’m gone, too. So gone.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
CLARA JUNE
“So glad wearen’t taking the damn bus back tonight,” Tanner says, sawing through a thick, birthday cake flavored waffle. It’s even got sprinkles and whipped cream. Goode’s has the best waffles, and this morning, since I had to work really early, Dean brought the boys here before school so the five of us could eat together. It’s a busy day, andaside from the game tonight, I won’t see the boys again really until tomorrow. I’m grateful he did this.
“I am, too. I’m so glad the school pulled through with hotel rooms. Last year I was up for hours with a nervous belly, watching the news, scared to death something would happen.” I bite into my blueberry waffle, and practice the fine art of chewing and swallowing before I speak. One day my offspring will learn this, I’m certain. “I wasn’t the only one. There was a phone chain of nervous parents.”
Dean dunks his fork into maple syrup and I notice that Archie is eating his the same way. Instead of dumping an entire bottle of syrup onto his waffle, he's dipping each bite into a little bowl. I want to smile, and watch them forever, but my break is fifteen minutes, and we’ve got more ground to cover. Busy moms don’t have time for long sentimental moments mid-brunch shift.
“Absolutely no drinking in the hotel room,” I warn Tanner, pointing the tines of my empty fork at him.
Beneath the table, Dean’s palm slides over my thigh, and he gives me a little squeeze. “I’ll be giving that speech in a few hours, too,” he tells me, then turns to Tanner. “But you’re the quarterback, sophomore or not. You have to lead by example. Make sure everyone is respectful of the hotel room, no fires, no alcohol, no theft, no trying to take things that are bolted down."
Tanner arches an eyebrow. “Is that something you’re worried about? Us trying to steal bolted down items?”
Dean stabs a piece of pineapple from the dish of fruit centering the table. “A bunch of boys together results in feats of strength tests, and bolted down TVs have more than once been the victim. I don’t think you will, but I have to say it.”
Tanner stretches into the vinyl booth, pushing his plateaway. “I know the drill. I won’t do anything dumb. Plus,” he says, his eyes darting toward me. “You’re gonna be there.”
“I’m comin’, too!” Archie offers, syrup resting in the corners of his mouth.
I know what Tanner means, and I give him a look only a mom can give. “It shouldn’t take me staying in the same hotel to make you behave.”
Rawley laughs. “Yeah, but it does.”
I turn my focus to Rawley. “Jake and Riley are allowing you to spend the night, so you better be on your best behavior, too. Hands to yourself, everything above the blanket.”
