My heart lurches in my chest and I can’t stop smiling when I step onto the porch carrying a pizza. Jackson’s sitting on Scarlet’s lap on the couch and she’s reading him a book. His eyes are heavy, and he looks like he’ll fall asleep at any minute. They haven’t noticed me yet, and I stop to watch them through the window for another few seconds.
Jackson rests his head against Scarlet’s shoulder and she brings her hand up, running her fingers through his hair. His eyes start to flutter closed, making me almost feel bad for coming into the house and waking him up. It’s impossible to sneak in and out with our current alarm system, which is why I have it set up the way I do.
I unlock the front door and step in. Scarlet smiles the moment she sees me, and Jackson is more excited about the pizza. I set it on the coffee table and tell Jackson to go wash his hands before we dig in. The second he runs into the bathroom, I pull Scarlet into my arms.
Feeling her body against mine sends a rush through me and I can’t kiss her fast enough. She hooks her arms around my neck and leans in, lips parting. I bring my head down, lips crashing against hers. Once I start, I can’t stop. My cock jumps and I want to carry her upstairs, stripping her out of her clothes and burying my cock inside of her.
“I take it things went well with the lawyer?” Scarlet asks. Her arms are still around me and my hands are still firmly planted on her waist. Jackson will be out of the bathroom at any second, but even one more second with my lips on Scarlet’s is worth it.
“Yes,” I growl and go in for another kiss, which isn’t the smartest idea because I’m starting to get a hard-on, and now I’m thinking of how good it feels to make love to her. As if she can read my mind, she brings one hand down, sweeping it over my chest, and cups my balls.
“Jackson is pretty tired. He was up late at your parents’ last night. I think an early bedtime would actually do him some good.”
“It’ll do me good too.” I push my pelvis against her hand and she closes her eyes, moaning. “You’re killing me, Scarlet.”
“That’s all part of my master plan.”
“Oh, is it now?”
“Mh-hm.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What happened to me being too big to chop up and bury?”
“Now that it’s getting colder out, I’ll wrap you in a tarp and will keep you in the shed.”
“I’d rot and would start to smell in a few days. It’s not cold enough yet.”
“Dammit.” She shakes her head. “I forgot you were a cop and know how these things work. So tell me, Officer, what’s the perfect murder?”
I laugh, but before I can get any words out, Jackson calls for help.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” I ask.
“I had to go potty and I missed.”
Scarlet slides her other hand down my chest. “Good thing you’re home.”
“Fine. I’ll clean up the pee.”
“You’re a good dad.” She gives me a smile and steps away, going into the kitchen to get plates and drinks while I clean up the floor as well as Jackson, who requires new underwear, pants, and socks.
Finally, we gather in the living room, eating pizza while watching a movie. When we’re done eating, Scarlet scoots closer to me on the couch and I drape my arm around her. Jackson gets a blanket and sits close to Scarlet, leaning against her. Scarlet helps him fix the blanket, draping it over both their legs.
“Are you comfortable?” I ask Scarlet, aware of how uncomfortable it can be when Jackson decides to use you as his personal pillow. Though at the same time, having him close like that is the best thing in the world. There really is nothing like snuggling up with your child.
“Yeah,” she says, turning her head to look at me. I sneak in a quick kiss, pressing my lips to hers. She puts her hand on top of mine and leans back against me. Sitting here with Scarlet and Jackson is such a simple thing, yet it means so much. We just admitted our feelings last night, finally hooking up after weeks of ignoring the spark. It’s not like we’re going out and getting married tomorrow, but I know I want her to be part of this family.* * *
“Every time the weather turns, I question why I live in the Midwest.” Scarlet zips up her coat. We just got to my parents’ for Sunday dinner and freezing rain is falling down on us. “And it’s not even winter yet.”
“I used to want to move out west. Though spending years in the desert kind of changed my mind. I like snow.”