Chapter 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
RACHEL
Seeing Mojave’s struggle was heartbreaking, but I understood where he was coming from.
I honestly wouldn’t expect anything different from someone in his position.
I’d lost track of the number of adults who were taking in distant relatives or new foster parents taking in their first child who’d told me they weren’t sure if they were ready.
Mojave wasn’t any different from them. He just needed to feel supported and reassured.
I had no doubt he’d make it work in the end.
“One of the things you mentioned was your trailer. If you want, the two of you could move in here with me.”
His eyes flew wide and locked on mine, his whole body stilling. It felt like he was even holding his breath. “What?”
I lifted a shoulder, glad the dark room hid the blush in my cheeks as I admitted, “I recused myself from Frankie’s case today.
Ted is now the lead social worker assigned to her case.
I got too close. You and Frankie feel like family to me, and I couldn’t remain impartial after everything we’d been through together.
I miss the two of you when we’re apart even for a night.
The house is too quiet without you. If your trailer is a factor in your decision making, then you can always move in here with me. ”
“Family?” He said it breathlessly, like the word was both foreign and like a treasure he hadn’t thought he’d have.
It was probably a little fast to be talking about moving in and using words like family, but I didn’t care.
I was done living my life according to other people’s rules.
Mojave and Frankie made me feel whole. I didn’t want to wait to have them with me.
We were a family now. I was more than happy to make that official.
I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding when a smile blossomed across his face.
Not the little ones that he’d gifted us with thus far.
A true smile, his eyes crinkling at the sides and closing in what looked like relief.
When he swept me into a kiss, it was full of joy, the kind of joy that spread from him into me until I couldn’t stop smiling either.
When tongues got involved, I felt heat dump into my belly and my leg shifted to wrap around his hip automatically.
I melted into it, tangling my fingers into his long, wind tossed hair.
What started off as sweet and happy quickly heated into more, Mojave’s hands tightening around me as he rolled to put me beneath him.
I felt the bulge of his cock harden against my thigh, his breath catching as I rolled my hips.
He shuddered and reached between us, readjusting to allow him to grind against my sex instead, drawing a moan from me.
It didn’t feel rushed or frantic. It felt a lot like the first time, like Mojave was seeking connection through touch, each caress filled with reverence.
I realized I needed the connection too. Not because sex fixed anything, but because after a day like today, being wrapped in Mojave’s arms without an inch separating us made me feel more secure than if we’d just cuddled on the couch.
Reminding me with each kiss that he cared.
Clothes were pulled off slowly, hands skimming over soft skin in gentle sweeps, lips only separating long enough to remove shirts before coming back together again.
I’d never felt so connected to someone before, so wrapped up in them that we were on the same wavelength.
Neither of us had to speak to communicate the need to shift to allow pants to come off, or to reach for the condoms in the bedside drawer.
We moved together, and only broke apart when oxygen became more of a priority than kissing.
My hands slid over the muscles of Mojave’s chest, down his stomach and around his shaft as he focused on opening the condom.
He sucked in a breath and rocked against my palm automatically, almost too distracted to get the condom open.
I eventually had to help him, rolling it down his length as he captured my lips again.
He didn’t rush to push inside me. Instead, he moved a hand between us, running light fingers through the slickness there and circling it around my clit. I gasped against his mouth, moaning when those fingers went lower, one slipping inside me and pumping a few times before another joined in.
He didn’t rush, didn’t demand, didn’t put his pleasure first. He took his time, touching and kissing me until the heat gathered low in my belly threatened to burst. I writhed, needing just a little more, and let out a whimper of protest when his fingers left me.
“Mojave–”
“Hold on, gorgeous,” he begged, pulling my thigh over his hip again. “I want to feel it when you come.”
The wanton moan that escaped me was cut off with Mojave’s lips against mine, the head of his cock pressing against my entrance.
I was so slick from his thorough attention that he slid in to the hilt in one smooth motion, making the both of us groan and my body tighten around his. I was so, so close.
A slow roll of his hips had my back arching, but just like the first time, Mojave was determined to find the best angle to make me scream. He shifted to his knees, lifting my hips a little, while keeping the same steady pace that made my blood sing.
“Ah! There! Mojave!”
The angle he found made it feel like pure electric pleasure was hitting me like lightning with every thrust. My head threw back on a silent scream as explosions wracked through my entire body, each thrust dragging out my orgasm until I was practically shaking from it.
Mojave didn’t slow, eyes glued to me as he moved at a steady pace. When I felt like I could breathe, I reached for him, pulling him on top of me and wrapping my legs around his waist, encouraging him to keep going with little moans of approval.
“Ah, fuck, Rachel,” he gritted out, the rhythm of his hips stuttering like he was trying his hardest to keep the rhythm he knew worked best for me.
God, this man. How could he ever see himself as not enough when he gave so much of himself for everyone else?
Tugging him closer, I whispered against his ear, “It’s okay. Let go. I want you to.”
The long groan he let out was barely muffled against my shoulder, his hips picking up speed until he was pistoning inside me.
I’d need to talk to him about holding back because while I loved that he wanted to ensure my pleasure, it was just as good when he lost control.
Better, even because we were both flying towards release together.
Something about the angle, us being so wrapped around each other, had my body tightening with another release. I just barely held back the moans that wanted to escape, heat and pleasure swelling in my belly until I couldn’t take it anymore.
Fireworks exploded behind my eyes as another release barreled through me. I heard Mojave’s shout, opening my eyes just in time to see his face twist in pleasure and relief before he collapsed on top of me.
I fought to catch my breath, staring wide eyed at the ceiling as my heart pounded in my ears and little aftershocks of pleasure raced through me. Somehow, each time we were together, it was better than the last.
“Mojave?”
A little voice across the hall made us both freeze. Mojave jerked his head around, trying to sound casual as he asked, “Yeah?”
“I can’t find my frog.”
Relief flooded me, making me melt. I’d been worried we’d gotten too loud and woken her up. Turns out, she woke up because her new favorite toy was missing. If she’d woken up only a few minutes earlier, it would’ve been a much more embarrassing situation.
“Gimme a minute,” Mojave told her. “I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.”
Pressing a quick kiss to my lips, Mojave pulled out and rolled off me, dealing with the condom and washing his hands before pulling on his jeans and heading across the hall.
I listened to their low murmurs as Mojave helped Frankie find her frog and tucked her back in, smiling to myself at the soft warm tones coming from Mojave, reassuring her and settling her back to sleep.
He thought he wasn’t good parent material, but he wasn’t seeing what I saw.
Sometimes, the little gestures mattered more than the big ones.
Knowing how she’d change as she grew wasn’t as important as being present and safe for her right now.
He could pick up the rest along the way.
And I knew he would. He was Mojave. He’d do everything in his power to keep Frankie safe.
Just before pick up the following afternoon, Arthur asked us to join him in his office for another meeting.
I was worried for a moment, and Mojave looked ready to defend Frankie at a moment’s notice, but Arthur’s smile was reassuring as he gestured for us to sit.
“It’s alright. This is a good meeting, I promise.
With the school year ending next week, I thought you’d want to know how things have been going with Frankie. ”
We sat, Mojave a little more reluctantly than I did, and waited for him to continue.
“I’ve spoken to Frankie’s teachers, and we’ve seen a vast improvement not only in her work but in her willingness to participate in class.
Ms. Judith says she’s been raising her hand more, answering questions, and asking for help when she needs it.
I’ve also been told by the teachers at her recess hour that she’s made a few friends and is no longer being targeted by bullies.
” He wrinkled his nose as he admitted, “There was one incident with Hunter passing in the hall, but Frankie’s friends were nearby and called him out, and he was removed from the situation before it could escalate. ”
I wasn’t sure if I was more relieved or overjoyed by the news, each new thing Arthur had to report only adding to the feeling of pride filling my chest at just how far she’d come.
“Frankie actually came to me the other day and requested a specific teacher for next year, and told me she was already looking forward to the third grade field trips with her guardian.” He shot a smile at Mojave.
“You’ve made a big impact on her. She’s still spunky and stubborn, but I heard her talking in the hall about how you never lose your cool and she wanted to be just like you. You’re a good influence on her.”
Mojave looked stunned by his comment, which made me chuckle. I’d told him more than once that he was good for her. Having an outsider tell him the same thing shouldn’t have come as so much of a shock.
“That’s wonderful. And there won’t be any reason to hold her back next year?” I asked, giving Mojave a minute to wrap his head around the information.
Arthur shook her head, looking pleased. “No. Frankie’s always been a smart kid.
In a hurry, yes, but still smart. Once she slowed down, took her time, and gained the confidence to ask for help if she needed it, she showed her true strengths.
She’ll be more than ready for third grade in the fall.
Though, I’d suggest a workbook over the summer, just to continue exercising those new habits she’s learned.
” He offered me a piece of paper, which turned out to be Frankie’s year end report card.
It showed the whole year, each quarter filled with absences and low scores showing the affect her household had on her learning.
Only in this last semester was there an improvement.
And it was a huge improvement at that. I showed it to Mojave, pointing at the most recent quarter.
“For second graders and below, they get scores zero to four to show where they are in regards to understanding certain subjects. Frankie mostly had two’s across the board until now.
Look at all the threes and fours she got thanks to you supporting her. ”
He shot me an incredulous look. “It wasn’t just me.”
“No,” I agreed. “But you’ve got a village, Mojave. Just because that village isn’t blood related doesn’t mean they aren’t supporting you and Frankie all the same. If it wasn’t so effective, she wouldn’t have improved this much. You’re exactly what she needed.”