“Take it.”
He tugged and her nipples lifted free and his mouth came down, hot and insistent. She surged up against him and he lifted her, put her down on her back on the bed.
The first time they’d had sex with him above her she’d understood why he wanted her to ride him, the night she’d gone to him in silk and lace, full of rude nerves and hopeful lust, that close to out of date condom clutched in her hand.
Above her, the sheer size and power of him was impossible to deny. He could break her neck, her back, a dozen of her limbs without popping a sweat. He could also make her feel so impossibly cherished, so unalterably loved. They’d worked their way around each other’s bodies, an exploration that mapped their favourite touches, ones that made them lose breath, shy away or crave more, so that the first time he braced above her, she was shaking with the need of him.
He wanted her that way now. He wanted to lose himself in her. He tasted of whiskey and disappointment and she thought of chocolate, of all the things he said he wanted. He was wrong about not offering enough. He offered too much and she dared not take it, hold him to promises; forever and stepfatherhood, he couldn’t fully understand.
He kissed every secret place that made her pulse leap. He got rid of her underwear and his own remaining clothes. He was edgy and unlike himself and she gave herself over to his impatience.
He used his hands and mouth on her. “I want to be inside you without the rubber. I want to feel you.”
They’d had this discussion, they were safe and she still wasn’t ovulating. There was no risk, even if he didn’t pull out in time. She wanted it too. She didn’t hesitate, she curled her hand around him and guided him inside.
“Holy fuck, Audrey.”
He closed his eyes tight. He couldn’t stop his hips from pumping. His jaw was clenched, his spine flexed, but rigid. “You feel so mad good.”
She arched up to kiss him and got his whiskey lips and tongue and wrapped her legs around him.
He groaned, “No, I won’t want to stop.”
He put his weight on his knees, took hers in his hands and pushed them to her chest. He got her writhing, he got her desperate. He pulled the thread of her and unspooled her all across the sky, and when she was still unravelling, he withdrew, sliding down the bed, grunting his own release, cupping her belly in his hands and pressing his face to her hip.
They could’ve avoided that wet patch by going to her bed, but he was sensitive about that. Neither of them wanted to have to explain that to Mia. She knew not to come into Reece’s room and couldn’t reach the door handle to let herself in. And there was no way either of them wanted to move anyway.
They kissed each other down and next thing Audrey knew he was kissing her awake. He whistled in the shower, his clement weather after his unlikely squall restored. He made pancakes for breakfast and Mia asked him if he was still sad.
“How could I be sad today? Birds are singing. It’s kindy gym day and Mia loves me.”
Oh, Audrey loved him too. Loved, loved how he made her feel. Loved the beautiful person he was. Loved what he’d brought to this family and how he made Mia happy. She left the table and went to him, pulled his head down to kiss him. She loved him too much to tell him.
“Eurgh. Kissing is yuck,” said Mia.
“I’d come with you to kindy gym again today, but I’m going in to work for a meeting.” Chris had responded. He had time at 2pm and would love to catch up with her.
Reece frowned. She shook her head. “Don’t worry. It’s a meeting I set up. We’ll see what I can find out.”
“I have a meeting too,” said Mia.
“You have a meeting with more pancakes,” said Reece.
When the pancake gobbler and her minder had gone off to kindy gym, Audrey got dressed in one of her suits. The skirt dragged on her hips and the jacket didn’t fit as it should. She could’ve worn a whole size smaller. But she looked healthy. She looked fit enough to be returning to work in two weeks. If she had Dr Barber’s clearance she could go back now. But no one wanted to risk a relapse, so this extra time was more of a precaution.
She met Les for lunch at midday. Les waited till their sandwiches and coffees were del
ivered and then said casually, as if it was a pass the sugar. “He loved the lingerie. But it didn’t stay on.”
Audrey gagged, a piece of fancy lettuce getting stuck in the back of her throat. Les leaned across and thumped her on the back and her eyes teared up as she coughed and coughed. A sip of water later she was able to speak. “You’re still together?”
Les laughed. “Miracles do happen.”
“Tell me all about it.”
“A lady wouldn’t kiss and tell.” Les waved a hand, a very Hollywood gesture. “But Audrey. Oh. My. God. The man has some moves, and the only thing that’s been humiliating is realising how little I thought of him.”
“You?”