Page 48 of Mister Mom

“Payne, can you take Via and get her pajamas out?” I say, my eyes not leaving Vance’s.

Vance gently places Via on the ground and Payne holds her hand as they walk out.

“I might have one of Carver’s shirts hanging around.”

Vance shakes his head. “Nah, I’d rather not wear the shirt of the man you love.”

“Loved. I loved him. Past tense.”

He nods his head. “Yeah, well, if it’s all the same, I’ll just put my jacket on when I leave.”

The thought of a shirtless Vance in my house for any period of time has me wanting to press my thighs together to relieve the ache.

“Come. I must have something for you to wear.” I grab his hand and lead him out of the bathroom, into Via’s bedroom, where I promptly drop his hand.

The kids. I am the worst mother. I almost forgot they were here for a second.

I put Via in her pajamas as quick as my hands will work. Then I realize I’ve yet to feed them dinner. I’m slowly losing my mind having this man so near.

“Payne, I’m going to find a shirt for Vance. Can you change into your pajamas and play with Via in your room?”

Payne smiles. “Sure.”

“Way to be helpful, buddy.” Vance ruffles his hair in the same way I do sometimes.

Payne’s smile widens further and he takes his sister by the hand and goes into his room.

Once they’re gone, Vance leans into me, his mouth only inches from my ear. “I’m ready to see your bedroom, Layla,” he whispers and I’m unable to stop the shiver that runs up my spine.

I turn on the balls of my feet and he’s so near. Like some Pavlovian response I swear I can taste the mint from his mouth from a few nights ago. Without another word I take off toward my bedroom, aware of the fact that he’s watching my every move from behind. By the time we reach my closet, every nerve in my body is on high alert.

I open one of the drawers, knowing I must have a t-shirt of some sort that’s way too big for me.

His arm circles my waist and he twists me around, pushing my back into the wall of dresser drawers in my walk-in. His lips crash down onto mine and just like the other night, our mouths begin their own chaotic, desperate dance as we attempt to get enough of one another. He still tastes minty and I know I’ll never chew a piece of gum without feeling the safety of his arms around me.

“Jesus, Layla, I can’t stop myself,” he murmurs before his lips sear a path from my jaw to my ear. He grinds himself into me. “Feel this? Every time you’re around, I’m as hard as fucking steel.”

I do feel it and it only makes me moan and grind harder against him. “Vance.” I bite his earlobe and his breathing picks up pace in my ear.

His hand slides up the front of my blouse, grabbing one breast, tearing down the cup of my bra, and his thumb brushes across my nipple.

My head falls back and he takes the opportunity to rain kisses down my exposed throat.

“More. I need more,” I whisper, sinking my fingers into his hair and holding his head to me.

He unbuttons my blouse and his light beard scratches my skin on the path down, the feeling a heady mix of too much sensation and not quite enough. Without warning, his mouth encases my breast and he twirls my nipple around with his tongue like his own plaything until my fingers are digging into his scalp. There’s a fire burning so strong between my legs, I’ll need a fire hose to douse it. Vance and his hose are perfect for the job.

His tongue on my nipple slows and he rests his chin on my bare breast, staring up at me. “I think we’ll have to continue this another time,” he says in a deep, throaty voice.

“I know. My vibrator is going to have its work cut out for it tonight.” I laugh and his lips cast small kisses all the way up until he’s right in front of my face.

“Why don’t you get comfortable and put on a pair of leggings.” He winks, his lips meeting mine one more time. “And no panties.” He turns back around to leave my closet.

“Vance. You know we shouldn’t.” I’m voicing the words I should be saying, but everything about them feels wrong.

Walking backwards toward the door, he chuckles. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” The smirk I’ve become so used to rests on his lips as he disappears.

One little secret never hurt anyone, right?

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