Marriage Material

There’s a little ache in my chest when I think about missing out on Charlotte’s milestones like sleeping through the night. She’s not mine, but it’s different. I’ve never had these thoughts with any of the other kids I’ve taken care of.

I sit up in bed when a loud crash shakes the house. Both Anderson and I are out of the bed in a flash to run into Charlotte’s room. When we enter I hit the light as Anderson rushes to her crib. I flip the switch several times, but the light doesn’t come on.

“Power’s out,” I whisper as lightning strikes and bathes the room in light for a split second. It’s then we see Charlotte is still sound asleep. “She’s a heavy sleeper, I guess.” I smile down at her.

“Are you okay?” he asks. The only real light in the room is coming from the nightlight that I’m guessing is running off batteries.

“I’m fine.” I nod and look up at him. His eyes go to my mouth, and another loud rumble of thunder sounds, breaking the moment.

“I should go make sure everything is okay outside. I’m pretty sure that noise before was a tree hitting the house.”

“Yeah, I think so, too.” I hope it isn’t a big one.

“You go into the kitchen and get the storm kit from under the sink. It’s got a radio and other things we’ll need.”

“Be careful,” I tell him, and he reaches out to hold my hand.

“I’ll only be gone a minute,” he reassures me.

I nod and watch him leave the room. I look at Charlette one last time before double-checking that the baby monitor is on and working before I leave.

I grab the kit and take it to the bedroom then set up the radio. Afterward, I walk to the front door to wait for him. I chew on my bottom lip and wring my fingers together. It’s been a lot longer than it should have for him to check on things. I hear anther loud roll of thunder and can’t help myself from opening the front door.

I gasp when I see Anderson standing there holding his hand to his head.

“What happened?” I reach for him and pull him into the house. I shut the door and lock it behind him. He gives his head a small shake.

“The good news is the tree didn’t hit the house. It just fell next to it. We’re lucky because it’s fucking giant.” I notice that this is the first time I’ve heard him curse. “The bad news is I got struck by a branch while I was out there.”

“Oh god.” I grab his other hand. “Let me look at you.” I pull him towards the bedroom and he stumbles a little. I grab ahold of him and wrap my arm around his waist, trying to give him as much support as I can. He’s easily double my size, and when we make it to the bedroom I let him drop down onto the bed.

I go straight for the storm kit and pull out a light. I turn it on and grab the first-aid kit. I rush back over to him. The cut is pretty bad, but he should be fine. I’ve seen my brothers have worse from horsing around together and they’re okay. Anderson’s hand rests on my leg as he looks up at me with heavy eyes. They open and close lazily and he’s not focusing.

“God, you’re fucking beautiful,” he says, reaching up and brushing my cheek. “That first day, after you left the grocery store, I was sure that I must have remembered you wrong. That you couldn’t be that beautiful. But here you are, more perfect than I remember.”

A rush of emotions pours over me, but before I can respond his eyes close.

“What am I going to do?” I squeak, panicked. He’s probably got a concussion. I think back to all the times my brothers hit their heads. I need to try to keep him awake. The storm is going hard outside right now and all I can do is stay calm.

This is going to be a long night.

Chapter 6

Anderson

I dream I’m on an island with the sun shining down on me and waves crashing nearby. When I look beside me, Robin is stretched out in the sand. She’s glowing like the light dancing on the water, and I reach for her and pull her to me.

“I don’t want to wake up,” I mumble as my lips find her neck and I move on top of her.

The sand beneath us is soft, and when she spreads her legs I nestle between them.

“Anderson, are you sure about this? Is this a good idea?” she whispers.

“It’s too good to stop.”

I reach between us and free my cock from my shorts so I can rub it against her thigh. I’m dizzy with excitement as I kiss her soft lips and then taste her tongue. She’s warm all over and as smooth as silk. It’s better than any dream I’ve ever had, and I hope it never ends.