Under the Stars

Her lips are a straight line. “I don’t want his explanations.”

“I know.” I put my arm around her waist. “But sometimes in life, it’s the best we can hope for.”

It’s another of those rare times when she’ll let me touch her. They’re becoming less and less as time passes. Molly’s been pulling away from me since Jilly was born, and now she’s far away, somewhere in her mind where she’s planning, analyzing, devising.

We’re closer to the hotel, and I try one last time. “Killing isn’t the answer. It won’t bring you peace.”

She only steps out of my arm, and enters the hotel ahead of me, going to the stairwell and jogging away, leaving me behind.

I let out a sigh and go to the elevator. On the short ride up, I decide it’s time for me to do what I came here to do and heed Roland’s advice.

Tonight I’ll go to the bar, I’ll bring Mark with me, and say what I need to say. Then I’ll go home. Molly can stay if she wants. It’s time for me to let her go and focus on being a mother… Possibly even a wife?

Sliding my card in the lock, I hear the noise of the shower running, and my mind shifts to what all is included with that title. I think about the comfort of being part of a loving family. It’s a dream that tugs at the depths of my soul.

I step out of my shoes just inside the room and move the “Do not disturb” sign to the outside. Turning the latch, a smile curls the side of my mouth, and I quickly pull off my shirt and shimmy out of my jeans. I see his dark form moving behind the sheer white shower curtain, and my lip goes between my teeth. My stomach tightens with anticipation, and I reach out to carefully open the curtain and peek inside.

The sight of his naked body steals my breath. His arms are raised, and his biceps flex as he slides large hands through his hair, rinsing away the shampoo lather.

Water streams down his powerful shoulders, creating rivulets that highlight the six pack of his abs, the V tracing his obliques, and my inner muscles clench at the sight of his cock, partially aroused and hanging thick and heavy between his thighs.

Without opening his eyes, he turns, giving me another killer view. His ass is tight and square with hand-sized indentions on each side. I don’t even realize I’m biting my lip until it hurts.

This man, the father of my baby, could be my future, my life.

I want that.

I’m going after it.

“Hey,” I say softly, stepping into the shower. I immediately press my bare breasts against his strong back, circling his narrow waist with my arms and sliding one hand down to stroke him.

His body tenses briefly, and he looks over his shoulder at me. “What are you doing in here?”

Blinking against the drops of water glancing off his skin, I meet his darkening gaze. He turns, placing his hands on my hips, sliding them up to cup my breasts, rolling hard nipples between his fingers.

“I’ll give you two guesses.” I hold his waist and rise on my toes to kiss him.

He bends down to meet me, and our lips part. The taste of fresh water is in my mouth as our tongues curl together, our bodies slippery and hot under the warm spray. Large hands move down the curve of my back, cover and cup my ass, and I slide my fingers up to his broad shoulders, down to his waist, and around to that tight ass.

I feel his erection rock-hard against my belly, and a low groan ripples through him, vibrating mine. He moves my mouth with his kisses, but I pull away, planting my lips on his chest, moving lower to circle my tongue around his tight nipple before dropping all the way to my knees and lifting him to my lips.

“Lara,” he hisses as I slide my tongue around the tip, tracing my nails along his thick shaft.

His hand is on my cheek, and I go lower, tracing my tongue along his sack, feeling his muscles jump at the sensation. Another deep groan, and I slant my eyes up, giving him a naughty grin.

“I think you like that.” I do it again, noticing a clear drop of precum.

“You have no idea.” His voice is husky.

Moving higher, I pull him into my mouth again, doing my best to take his length as far as I can. I use my hand to fill the gap, pumping and sucking. My hand on his ass feels his muscles flexing tighter with every pass. His brow is furrowed, eyes squinting as he watches me.

Having him in my mouth, feeling his body’s response to my touch, tasting his arousal sends burning need coursing through my veins. My pussy is hot and slippery, aching for him to fill me.

I pull him faster, pumping and sucking until the muscle in his jaw flexes, and he opens his mouth with a deep groan.

“Get up.” Large hands go under my arms, and he lifts me off my knees in a quick sweep.

He shuts off the water roughly and rips the curtain back, lifting my naked body against his chest. My legs go around his waist, and I grab a fluffy white towel off the rack just before we’re out of the bathroom, headed to the bed.