CHAPTER 36
Maddie
“He’s not in the hospital,” Rhonda whispers.
She’s been calling everywhere she can think of to try to find my dad. Meanwhile, the priest is at the podium, ready to begin with a prayer, but I held up a finger begging him for one more minute.
Rhonda is sitting directly behind me, which I’m realizing was a huge mistake.
Some woman on the church’s staff thought she knew best when she insisted on these seating arrangements.
I should have put my foot down and done things the way I wanted, but I was too overwhelmed with all the other details she was throwing at me.
Still, I would have made Rhonda sit with me if I hadn’t been so distracted by my dad’s absence.
This whole thing is turning out to be one big disaster, and I’m about to lose it.
I turn my head and lower my voice so only she can hear me. “We all know where he is.”
Earlier, I called the casino and had them page him overhead in the poker room, but he didn’t answer. That doesn’t mean he’s not there. Most likely, he just ignored the page knowing who was trying to find him and why.
I guess I’ve lost hope of him being a decent human being and give the priest a nod.
With a shrug as if to say he’s sorry, he bows his head and offers the invocation.
Afterward, he shares some kind words, and then it’s my turn.
Riggs gives my hand a light squeeze before letting go.
Normally, the thought of public speaking would terrify me, but I’m too angry at Dad to be scared now.
I’m sure everyone in this chapel has noticed his absence, and they all know what he’s doing while his children bury his wife of thirty-four years.
I should be mourning my mother, but instead, I’m cursing my father.
At the podium, I look over the audience for a moment, then take in a deep breath.
“Thank you for coming. I see so many friendly faces, people who have known me my whole life, people who were friends with my mother for as long as I can remember. Mom would be so happy that you came to say goodbye. I’m sure she would want you to know she’s grateful for the time you were able to spend together.
That’s what made her so special. She knew what was important in life—not money and things, but her relationships with people, with each of you.
” I can’t help it, a tear rolls down my cheek as a tremble forms in my voice, but I press on.
“I miss her so much. I won’t ever stop missing her.
She taught me how to be strong, how to care, what’s truly important in life, and most important, how to love unconditionally.
” I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.
I should have brought some tissues. “Above all else, Mom loved us, her children. It didn’t matter what we did, how many mistakes we made, or all the times we didn’t show her how much we loved her back.
None of that mattered. She loved us the same with all her heart.
” I look down at the casket. “Until we meet again, Mom, we love you… I love you.”
Before I fall apart completely, I wipe my eyes once more so I can see my way back to my seat. Riggs puts his arm around my shoulders and whispers, “That was perfect. She would be proud.”
I lean my head against his shoulder. I’m so glad he’s here.
Dad doesn’t show up at the cemetery either. As my mother’s casket is lowered into the grave, the only people present are the priest, my brothers, Rhonda, Ash, and Riggs.
When it’s all said and done, we part ways to change clothes with plans to meet up later at Mom’s favorite place in the whole world—the Oregon coast. Riggs and Ash got us all hotel rooms so we can spend the evening watching the sun set over the ocean without having to worry about driving back.
Standing on the beach with his arm around me and my head leaning against his side, I can’t imagine how this week would have gone without him. How would I have done everything on my own? It would have been a lot harder for sure.
I’m glad they’re all here, even Josh and Keegan. They’ve been nice to me all week, and I keep thinking that maybe this could be a new start for us. I certainly hope so.
As the sun disappears, we say our good nights, and to my complete surprise, Keegan gives me a hug. Before I can say anything, Josh joins in, hugging us both. None of us says a word. We don’t have to. The hug says it all.
* * *
Riggs is sitting on the sofa in our hotel living room, opening a bottle of wine. “I can’t believe your dad. How does he not show up?”
I find two wineglasses in the kitchenette. “I assume he was playing poker. Probably still is. Who knows? Either way, it was so embarrassing.”
“Can’t say I wouldn’t have been embarrassed too.
Dumb thing is, he’s the one who should be embarrassed, not you.
” When I slide in next to him, he pours the wine.
I take a sip and then set my glass on the coffee table so I can snuggle up against him.
I love the warmth of his body. “Right? Why should I be ashamed? I didn’t do anything wrong. ”
He puts his arm over my shoulders and starts running his fingers gently up and down my arm. “I could tell you were stressed, but you handled it well. It’s been a long day, how are you doing?”
I have to think about it for a moment. “I know this might sound kind of cliché, but when I think about Mom now, I picture her surrounded by friends and family and she can finally relax without any worries or pain. It’s like she’s in this wonderful place, and she’s super happy.”
“Nothing cliché about that.”
“For so long, all I could do was worry about her. Everything—the cancer, her suffering—it was always there.”
“And now, no more worrying. That goes both ways, you know. She doesn’t have to worry about you either.”
“Yeah, it’s like this huge weight has been lifted, like she and I can finally be happy for each other. It’s hard to describe.”
“Believe me, I understand.”
I lay my head on his side with my hand on his chest. “I know you do.” I can hear his heartbeat and find the steady rhythm comforting.
He’s comforting. All of him, not just the way his giant, hard body feels right now, but how he handles everything and how he’s always looking out for me.
How did I get so lucky to find a man like this?
We stay like this for a while, just cuddling without saying a word. It’s like he always knows what I need even when I don’t. But as wonderful as this is, the way we’re lying is making my leg cramp. I shift, but it’s not the most comfortable sofa.
I can tell he’s not comfy either by the way he groans as he shifts his hips to the side. “You know what sounds good right now?” he says.
“What?”
“The jacuzzi.”
I sit up straight. “That’s right. I forgot we have one.”
“I’ll get it started,” he says as he heads to the bathroom. I love the idea of soaking in the giant tub with him. I drink the rest of my wine and refill my glass. Might as well do this right.
While he’s getting things started, I go to the bedroom to undress.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I’m down to my bra and panties when I start to notice how straight my figure is.
Could I really squeeze a baby through these hips?
I turn to the side and stick my stomach out, wondering what I’d look like pregnant.
It’s not that I’m considering it—I’m far from wanting a kid right now—I’m just curious.
How big would my breasts get? And what would nursing a baby feel like?
I’ve heard it hurts like hell at first, but then it’s supposed to be nice once your nipples adjust to it.
What if Rhonda and I were pregnant at the same time?
That would be so much fun! But not for a while, maybe in a couple of years? Would that even be possible?
I can’t believe I’m even thinking about this. After what happened with Jake, I thought I would never think such thoughts again. Riggs has really changed me. And speaking of my future sperm donor, he’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long.
With my glass in one hand and the wine bottle in the other, I wander into the bathroom fully naked, only to see that the big guy has started without me.
The jacuzzi is full, with tons of foamy bubbles floating on the surface.
His clothes are piled on the floor, except for his jockey shorts, which he’s still wearing for some reason.
His head is laid back and his eyes are closed.
I think he’s enjoying the jets on his shoulders.
I’ll never get used to this man being mine.
As I ease into the water, he doesn’t move. I position myself so the jets provide the perfect massage between my shoulder blades.
“This is exactly what I needed.”
“I know what you mean,” he mumbles.
I love his chest and how tight his skin stretches over his muscles.
“Do you want some more wine?”
“I know what you mean,” he says lazily, his eyes still closed.
What? I eye him for a second before adding, “I love the way this jet feels on my pussy.”
“Yeah, me too.”
I can’t hold it in and let out a snicker. He’s barely awake.
“I want you to come all over my tits.”
“I know. He’s such a jerk.”
“I want to put both your balls in my mouth while I give you a hand job.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I invited a friend over. Are you up for a threesome? She’s a squirter.”
He just groans.
“I’ll let you put it in my ass.”
That’s not going to happen. I’ve never seen the appeal of that.
“I know what you mean.”
I set my wineglass down then straddle him. That does the trick. His eyes pop open, and he quickly sits up. I bite back another snicker as I run my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and gyrate my hips in his lap. “I don’t think you were listening to me.”
He leans forward to kiss me, but I pull back.
“I was trying to talk to you.” I feel his cock growing beneath me. “Looks like I have your attention now.”
He rests his hands on my waist. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
I grind against him to make his erection harder and bring up what I really wanted to talk about. “Is there a way to make a rubber replica of your cock. I want to be able to play with it while you’re gone.”
He eyes me for a brief moment before a grin tugs at the corner of his lips. “Hmm, kinky.”
I start rubbing my pussy gently against his underwear over his hard shaft. “You didn’t answer my question. Couldn’t we make a mold or something?”
His eyes roll back and his hips begin to move to match my rhythm. “If you’re serious, I think we could work that out. Sounds kind of fun, actually.”
He’s fully erect now, so I press down on him a little harder through his shorts. “What about me? Don’t you want to make a replica of my pussy to take to New Zealand with you?”
He leans forward, pulls his jockey shorts off, and tosses them to the bathroom floor. Then he leans back, putting his hands back at my waist. “Now that’s a great idea.”
I’m still running my fingers through his hair and with his shorts out of the way, I can feel him better and rub my slit along his shaft.
The skin-to-skin contact makes me impatient as hell, but I want to tease him just a little bit more.
“I could bend over and arch my back while you make a mold of my pussy. How does that sound?”
He’s breathing harder as his hand drops to his cock. I feel the tip first, then the rest of him glide into me. I toss my head back with a moan and thrust my hips harder against him. His hips match my every move as I run my fingernails down his neck and across his shoulders.
As I gyrate on him, his mouth comes to my breast. “Yeah, baby, like that. I’m going to fill that pretty little pussy. You want that, don’t you, baby?”
When he gives my hard nipple a gentle bite, I switch to a back-and-forth motion, rubbing my clit against him with each stroke and it feels so damn good.
“Let me hear you say it. Tell me what you want.”
He bites playfully on my other nipple, only harder, almost crossing the line into the realm of pain while he thrusts his cock deeper inside me. Something about it is primal and it draws a high-pitched moan from me.
“Say the words,” he growls. “What do you want?”
“I want your come inside me,” I exhale. I claw at his back. “I want you to fill my pussy.”
I grab fistfuls of his hair as I move faster, harder, while he matches my every move thrust for thrust. He’s so deep and I scream, “I’m going to… Oh God, don’t stop. It’s so—”
His cock throbs and he groans as his powerful hands pull my hips down onto his dick and he pumps his hot liquid into me. Feeling his cock throbbing with each release pushes me over the edge. I arch as a cry escapes my lips with a wave of hot pleasure that makes my whole body tremble.
Just when I think it’s over, he thrusts one more time with a low, loud growl that sends shivers down my spine and a new cascade of ecstasy bursts through me.
I pull his hair as my body quivers uncontrollably and scream, “Riggs!” His fingers press into my hips as my pussy clamps down on his throbbing cock and he shoots his final load inside me.
“Fuck,” he moans, releasing his grip on my sides. I think he might have left bruises, but if he did, it was so worth it.
We just sit here, his dick still throbbing inside me as we try to catch our breath. “What the fuck was that?” I finally manage. “Back to back orgasms? I didn’t know that was even possible.”
He looks like the little boy who just hit the game-winning home run for his Little League team. “You’re welcome.” The cute as hell, proud-as-a-man-can-be grin he’s sporting is beyond adorable and I can’t resist the urge to lean down and kiss him.
He kisses me back and I can’t help wondering what I’m going to do when this man is gone.