Page 67 of Seal of Approval

My father stormed into the bedroom we shared. I hoped Steve put his book on his nightstand. I finished making my peanut butter and jelly sandwich and sat down at the table. I wasn’t hungry. Just the thought of eating it made me feel sick. But it might distract my father.

He came to the table and sat opposite me. “If you spent as much time studying as you do eating, your brain might be bigger than your stomach.”

I took a bite and chewed slowly. My straight A’s apparently weren’t good enough for him.

“I could have been anything other than a high school teacher if your stupid mother hadn’t gotten pregnant with you. But I had to go to community college and work instead to take care of your sorry ass.”

I’d heard it all before. And I knew it was best not to engage. My thoughts were a different story though. I mean, if he was so smart, why did he get my mother pregnant in the first place? And if he hated his job so much, why didn’t he do something about it?

I took another bite. He leant back in his chair. Just like every other time he’d done that, I hoped it would give out beneath him and he’d knock his head on the way down. Maybe go into a coma or something.

No such luck.

He sat up and then came around the table to stand behind me. I tensed my shoulders. I didn’t know what was coming and somehow that was worse. I took another bite, chewed quickly and swallowed, forcing the food down. All the while he looked over me, his breaths harsh. Sweat started pooling under my arms. I didn’t dare move. All I could do was take another bite. Every time I swallowed it was like I was trying to swallow a baseball. He stood there until I finished my sandwich and walked away.

It had all been a power game to my father. Max was the same. And it was the not knowing that was the worst.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Jasmine

The sun was streaming through the window. I was lying in Ethan’s arms. For two weeks we’d slept like this. For two weeks he hadn’t pushed me to do anything more than kiss. He never asked why, never asked if I was ready now, didn’t try to coerce me. I’m sure he wanted sex. His body told me so every time we kissed, but he never forced himself on me.

This was new. Everything in this relationship felt new. I could rely on him. I knew I didn’t have to face Max alone, that Ethan would be by my side. And it wasn’t through obligation. Maybe at the beginning it had been, but I didn’t feel that obligation anymore. He wanted to be here with us. And every day our time together shortened.

Ethan stirred. He looked peaceful in sleep. Perfect. Who was I kidding? He looked perfect all the time. I sounded like a lovesick fool. Love. I did love him. I loved him for all he allowed me to be. And I loved him for all that he wanted to be.

Ethan’s eyes opened and he looked at the clock. 6.30am. Still time before the kids got up. He pulled me in close and kissed the top of my head.

That wasn’t enough for me today. Today I wanted to love Ethan with my body. I kissed along his jawline and then found his lips. My whole body leapt into life. I rolled on top of him, wanting to feel him everywhere. The kiss deepened and I nudged my tongue into his mouth. His low moan urged me on. His large hands cupped my arse and pulled me closer. His erection pushed against me. I rolled off so I could touch it.

I pulled down the top of his underwear and wrapped my hand around his thick shaft, ready to stroke. I paused. It was bigger than I expected. I’d felt it many times over the past few nights, pressed against me, but the clothes between us had belied its actual size. I started stroking.

He tore his lips away from mine. “Fuck,” he groaned.

I wished we could. But it was too risky this time of morning. Even this was pushing our luck.

I held his dick firmly and pumped. “Later,” I whispered.

“What?” he half moaned.

Just the sound of his voice, how he had lost a measure of control, made my stomach squeeze and my underwear wet. I listened for the children. There was no movement. But it didn’t mean it would stay that way. I wanted sex. I was ready for sex…right now. But we couldn’t.

Ethan moaned again, and a shiver shot through me.

“Later.” I licked the skin under his ear as I pushed my breasts against him. “You can fuck me later.”

His breathing hitched. I sucked on his neck and licked the salt from my lips. My hand didn’t slow. He clutched at the sheets as his hips stiffened.

“Fuck,” he grunted out as he exploded in my hand. His hips bucked. His dick jerked as he emptied himself out. I didn’t stop until he lowered his hips and relaxed beneath me. There was cum all over my hand and his stomach. He lay beside me, breathing harshly.

I wiped my hand on the sheet. “Lucky it’s sheet washing day.”

He looked at me and gave me a slow grin. “It’ll be sheet day again tomorrow if we get to do what you suggested.”

I could hardly wait.

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