Chapter 23
DAISY
I nudge him onto the couch and sit next to him. “Because I wanted some alone time with my husband. Because at the shop, we’re both super busy, and then here, between running Deana to dance and other activities, feeding and changing Dakota, there isn’t much time for us anymore.”
He sips at the bourbon again. “Okay.”
“You could try to relax and enjoy it.”
“I am,” he says way too fast.
“That’s why your back is stiff and tense, and if you fist that glass any harder, it’s going to shatter.”
“I just got a lot on my mind.”
“Yes, I know, you’ve been telling me that for the last six weeks, but when I ask you exactly what, you shut down.”
“It’s not important.”
“It is to me.”
He braces his hand against the couch cushion, and I hold him back from standing. “Not this time. There are no interruptions, and there’s nowhere you need to be except right here telling me what’s bothering you.”
He rakes his hand through his hair but doesn’t answer .
“We can sit here all night, but you’re not getting any of that chicken or the homemade biscuits until you tell me.” I sip some wine. “And Madeline will be pissed if her chicken recipe gets soggy, so spill.”
“You really are a pain in the ass.”
“I know you mean that in the best possible way.”
He huffs out a breath. “I just . . . I just?—”
I bite my bottom lip forcing myself to stay quiet.
“I wanted everything to be perfect for you this time with the pregnancy and the delivery, and I fucked up again. I mean, how many chances does a man get to do it right?”
“Don’t you know perfect doesn’t exist in real life?”
“Sure not the fuck in my life.”
“Not in anyone’s life.”
“But most people don’t have deranged stalkers coming at them and their family.”
“Okay, but I signed on for this life, and don’t kid yourself, ‘cause everybody’s got some shit.
Some women can’t get pregnant, and yet we’ve been blessed with two perfect little girls and a son who adores them.
Some people have teenagers who are in trouble all the time, and we have a son who’s not only acing his grades at UNLV but got accepted into the master’s program in accounting as a freshman. ”
“He did?”
“Shit, I wasn’t supposed to tell you yet. Just forget I said that and act surprised when he tells you.”
“Fuck, that’s awesome. The first kid in my family to go to college, and he’s killing it.”
“Right, so those are all the things, plus a nice home, and a successful business with enough money to maybe buy a bigger home. Plus, the Serpents and all their old ladies who will always have our back. Yeah, I’d say we’re pretty fuckin’ lucky.”
“When you put it like that, I feel like a shit.”
“No, that’s exactly wrong. What you feel is what you feel, but you have to let it out, and you have to talk about it. If not to me, then I can call Dr. Stevens. She was amazing with me, and when we went for our couples sessions, you liked her too.”
“The last time, you took it all so hard, and that’s why I wanted it all to go right for you this time.” He gazed up at the ceiling. “The last time, I was so strong, and now . . .”
“That’s what makes us so perfect. When I desperately needed help, you were there, and now you need help, and I’m here.” I squeeze his hand. “If you ask me, it’s the perfect combination.”
“I don’t know. Being a part of my life has cost you so much.”
“But we’re still standing, and I wouldn’t want to be a part of anyone else’s life but yours.”
“Same, babe, I couldn’t do any of this—the shop, being a father, you even make being a husband easy for an outlaw like me.”
“Just promise you’ll make an appointment with Dr. Stevens. Believe me, it helps to talk to someone who’s not directly involved.”
“Agreed.”
I lean in for a kiss, and he cups my face with his palms. “I was thinking it’s been over six weeks and?—”
I grab his hand and pull him off the couch. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He nods toward the kitchen. “I guess we better not tell Madeline.”
Two minutes later, the decorative pillows are strewn over the floor, and I’m spread out naked across the bed.
JOKER
As usual, Daisy was right. I have to own whatever is fuckin’ with my head, admit it and then move on.
We have so much to be thankful for, and hopefully tonight is a step forward ‘cause I have no intentions of taking any steps back. I’d gone down dark paths other times in my life when I had no one, but now I have my beautiful wife and three amazing kids who need me—and, fuck me, but I need them more than breathing.
I sit back on the mattress, taking in Daisy waiting for me, her arms outstretched, and a sly grin curves my lips.
“You know the way I want this to go.”
She pushes herself up on her elbows and grins back at me. “Why don’t you show me?”
“Ohhh, fuck yeah.” I wrap my arm around her waist and spin her over. “Get up on your hands and knees and show me that sweet ass.”
“Bossy, aren’t you?” she throws over her shoulder with a sassy smile.
“Just the way you like, babe.” I push away her hair and nuzzle her neck. “The doctor said this was okay, right?” I hold my breath, waiting for the answer.
“It’s been over six weeks, and everything is good to go.”
Thank fuck, ‘cause doing without for the last weeks was hitting me hard.
“I wanna take it slow, but?—”
“You take it any way you want, baby.” She wiggles her fine ass, and my brain fizzles.
Gripping her hips, I notch my throbbing cock between her firm ass cheeks. My cock disappears, and I squeeze them tight, gliding back and forth until the sweet pressure builds. As perfect as this is, I need more.
I reach around her hip, find her clit and rub it between my thumb and forefinger. Slow and rhythmic until she’s bucking against me and panting.
I dig deeper, covering my fingers with her juices, then I pull back slightly and fist my cock, getting it good and wet. When I slide between her cheeks again, I have to recite the alphabet to keep from blowing up .
She pushes against me and whispers, “I can’t wait. I need you now.”
“Yeah, nothing like hearing my wife beg for my cock.” I angle her hips higher until her knees are off the mattress, then I drive home.
“Ohhh, fuck yeah, I missed this.”
“Yes, yes, more, harder.”
I don’t need any encouragement ‘cause my body is already pounding into her from behind. No matter how many times, this is always the best.
She braces her palms against the headboard and shoves her ass harder against my cock. I pull her until her back is against my front, fucking her so hard, she’s gasping. When I reach around and twist her swollen clit, she explodes around me, her walls milking me and drawing me deeper.
I can’t hold out any longer, so I flex my hips one more time, and my cock blows up inside her.
Our slick bodies vibrate against each other, taking and giving until we collapse to the bed.
I hold her tight to me, almost afraid to let go, knowing as long as I stay in this bed with this woman, all will be right.
After a few minutes, Daisy shifts to face me. “There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you about.”
Never a good lead-in sentence.
“After the Halloween party, I was putting away some things away, and I found a black stone wrapped in what looked like an umbilical cord in your nightstand”
“That was sent as a warning by the Nomads.”
“The strange thing was, when I picked it up, it was burning hot, I dropped it, and it shattered into pieces.”
Explained why it was broken, but not why it was so hot.
“All that weird shit is behind us now.” Although it still bugged me, I never found the silver feather. I searched The Gold Mine, but nothing. Maybe I really did lose it in another time.