34. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
Athena
“ A nd this is definitely what you want?”
“Yeah.” Paxton nods, inhaling deeply through his nose then out through his mouth. “Mom was excited for me to start school. When we filled out the forms together, she told me how proud she was of me so there’s no way I can back out. I won’t.”
This kid.
His strength is astounding. Although, it feels like he’s grown up a lot since his mom died. The funeral was only a week ago, just after New Year’s Eve, and now he’s ready to walk out the door for his first day back at school in too long.
“Okay, let’s go then.” Dressed in some of the new clothes Bear bought for me—a warm pair of jeans and a lush, fluffy sweater—I grab my new coat with faux-fur around the hood and slide on my new sneakers. A lot of new things that I fully intend on paying him back for when I start getting paid from Lucy at the coffee shop, even if he has vehemently refused my offering every time I bring it up.
“Tryin’ to sneak off without me?” I don’t know how he does it because he’s a large man, but as if by magic, Bear appears at the bottom of the stairs wearing a huge grin. He makes quick work of striding toward me, gently resting a palm against my cheek. I lean into it as we say a million things with our eyes, just like we always do, right before he kisses me. It’s not for long, there’s no tongue, but it’s always enough. “Good morning, Baby Girl.”
“Hi.” I smile up at him and he winks before turning his attention to Paxton.
“You all set?” He slides an arm around my waist and we stand as one unit. Just as we did when faced with the CPS lady the day before the funeral.
Paxton’s dad hasn’t responded to any communications thus far, which we’re all not-so-silently grateful for, but May Bennett told us they were planning on sending someone to his last known address to see him in person. She had wanted to give us a heads up on the situation and there’s a lot of paperwork involved, so it’s not exactly a smooth transition, but we have promised to do everything we can for Paxton’s happiness.
“Yeah, ‘Thena made me lunch.” He holds up the lunch box full of food I prepared for him when I woke up at like, three this morning. I think I’ve been more anxious about his first day at school than he is. “I’ve got the cash you gave me, just in case, even though the cafeteria is cashless and you’ve made sure I have money on the school account.” Paxton reels off the information that’s been drilled into him the last few days with a roll of his eyes. “I have pens, pencils, notebooks, ruler, calculator, basically all the stationary a person could ever own in their whole life, a map of the school, a list of my classes and teacher names…” His smirk as he trails off makes me chuckle.
“Okay, so you’re prepared. Nothin’ wrong with that.” I shrug and clasp my hands together. “Let’s go!”
“Anyone would think this is your first day at school instead of his.” Bear locks the front door as we all step out and links his fingers with mine.
“It kind of is. I’ve never been to school before.” It’s not something I’m sad about, it’s just a fact, but Bear’s body tenses a little before he visibly relaxes almost as quickly.
“You wanna go?”
“I really don’t know. It’s never been an option.”
Paxton scoots ahead of us on the new scooter Grinder bought for him for Christmas as we walk at a steady pace toward his school. It’s only a twenty minute walk, we did a trial run a couple of days ago, and it’s in a really nice area.
“Well, it’s an option now. If you wanna do the whole school thing, we’ll get you enrolled.” Bear speaks so casually, like he hasn’t just offered me the world all over again in just a few words.
“Is that even possible at my age? I’m thirty next year, isn’t that too old for school?”
“Baby Girl, you could go to school at fifty if you wanted to. Let’s have a look into it when we get home, yeah?” He squeezes my hand a little, like a silent “I got you”.
A huge grin spreads across my face and I nod. “Yeah. I’d love that.” I also love that he didn’t offer to look into it for me, he wants to do it with me.
Finally arriving at the middle school, my eyes widen, just like the first time, at the tall brick archway of the entrance with the school name plastered across the front. Even seeing it a couple of days ago, I’m still in awe of how grand it is. It’s twice the size of the giant building at the SOK compound.
Hundreds of kids are walking up the few steps toward the sets of doors, and while I’m okay with groups of people—mostly when Bear is around—this just seems like too much to deal with on a daily basis.
“Can you take my scooter and bring it back after school?” Paxton is raring to go. Even though his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes, he still seems excited about today. The last time he attended school was about three years ago so I can only imagine he’s looking forward to spending time with people his own age.
“Sure thing, Son.” Every time Bear says the word ‘son’ to Paxton, I see a little spark of light in each of their eyes. It’s as though Paxton was always supposed to be a part of Bear’s life, and therefore my life.
I just hope that whatever we have to do to keep him with us in the long-term isn’t too difficult. Mac assured me it’ll be easy as pie, but Bear has been more honest and we’ve talked about what a long process this could be.
Ultimately, Paxton gets to decide and as long as he wants to be with us, we’d never deny him.
To be thinking in terms of ‘we’ like this is surreal too.
Six months ago, I was wearing nothing but a collar around my neck and a pair of stupidly high heels on my feet as I served food and drinks to Master’s dinner guests—the only part of that evening I care to remember.
Now, I’m happier than I ever thought possible with a man who adores me and a twelve-year-old kid with attitude to spare. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Sit on my face, Baby Girl.”
We’re both naked, on the couch, with all the curtains drawn, windows and doors locked, and Bear scooches down so his head is against the armrest.
“But won’t that hurt or… you know…?” Everything he does to me is out-of-this-world amazing, especially the things he does with his talented tongue, but I’m not sure if what he’s asking is safe.
Although, I guess it is or he wouldn’t suggest it.
“No? I don’t know?” There’s a smirk tugging at his lips and I narrow my eyes playfully. This is his way of making me say the thing I’m not saying.
“Could you suffocate?” A flush rushes up my neck to my cheeks, and while I don’t seem to have any problems doing the things, talking about them is not quite so comfortable and easy.
“I’d die the happiest and luckiest man in the world with you decorating my face with your sweet cum, but no, Baby Girl, you won’t hurt me and I won’t suffocate. Now get your sexy ass up and let me taste you.” The way he speaks those dirty words to me does things to my core and, not for the first time, I thank the gods for allowing me to find the joy in something that could have destroyed me.
And Bear.
Bear deserves the universe and there aren’t enough words in the dictionary for me to ever thank him sufficiently.
I do as he asks, moving from straddling his waist to sitting over his face, and he wastes no time.
“Oh, gods…” I moan, uncontrollably, as his tongue begins working its magic against my clit. His low growls, like he’s enjoying a feast, urge me to move with the feeling, chasing the fast-building orgasm.
I gasp when I feel a finger being pushed into me and fireworks explode behind my eyes.
“Yes!”
One of his large hands is gripping my ass cheek, helping to guide my movements as my orgasm almost overwhelms me and my body jerks from all the sensations rolling through me. Slowly, I move back down his body, much to the disgruntlement of Bear, and he gently nips at my inner thigh.
“I can never get enough of your sweet pussy.” Bear licks his lips, his dark eyes promising pleasure.
“I love you… and I love that, but we have to shower before we pick Paxton up from school.” Grinning, I jump up from straddling him before leaning down to peck his soft lips. Then, I run up the stairs, giggling when I hear him chasing me.
“Then I guess we better make this one real quick!”
An hour later and we’re running a little behind. We’re two minutes away from the school and I’m feeling anxious about whether Paxton’s going to wonder where we are if he comes out before we arrive. Bear’s strong fingers are linked with mine as we speed walk the rest of the way.
My eyes widen when I see him, because he’s not alone, and it’s very obvious that’s not a student or teacher he’s talking to. The man is dressed in dirty sweatpants and a threadbare sweater, his hair mussed across his head… but it’s the stance he has over Paxton that has my back strengthening.
I know Bear sees it too because his grip on my hand has tensed.
We get close and I notice Paxton’s head is down and he’s looking to the ground, he’s not the confident young boy I’m used to seeing and I don’t like it.
“—ngrateful little shit.”
“Excuse me, sir, but you need to go. You can’t be here.” Being confrontational hasn’t been ingrained into me, but I find myself gritting my teeth and narrowing my eyes at this man.
This is definitely not the time or place for an argument, and I can feel the tension rolling off Bear beside me, so I’m trying to tread carefully. From experience, I know that placating a man like this is usually the best way to not cause a scene. Let them think they’re in control.
I just hope Bear follows my lead.
“I can do what the fuck I like, cunt. He’s my son.”