Page 53 of Lillian

“Please,” I beg him, and he groans as he thrusts against me. “Lincoln.”

The arm that was wrapped around my stomach skates down to my center where he continues to play with me. The slick between my thighs already is enough indication that I don’t need warmed up. One finger dips from my clit down to my core, and he curses when it slides right in.

“Fuck, you’re so wet.” His words are praise and worship in one. When he starts to pump his fingers into me, it’s still not enough.

I pull on his wrist until he pulls them out. To drive him crazy, to push him over the edge, I bring his fingers up to my mouth and suck them clean.

As I knew it would, Lincoln’s leash snaps, and he grabs my leg, pulls it over his hip until I’m open for him, and thrusts into me in one smooth motion.

I gasp at the intrusion but thrust back against him as his thrusts up into me. The fit is tight, so full that it’s hard to breathe in the best way.

Neither of us talk again, the only sounds to be heard in the room are skin slapping against skin, my moans, and his grunts of exertion. Minutes later, my mouth drops open in a silent scream as pleasure rips through me.

Lincoln follows me seconds later, hips stuttering, and then tilts my face up to give me a quick, passionate kiss.

“That was the bestgood morningI’ve gotten in a long time.” He smiles broadly and pulls out, leaving me feeling empty.

Alone in bed now, I let out a loud groan and stretch all my limbs out. I hear the water running from the master bath, and a mischievous grin stretches across my cheeks.

Round two.

Lincoln jumped right on board with my plan and bent me over the bathroom counter as soon as I walked into the bathroom with a salacious look in my eye.

I’m just buttoning up my jeans when I hear Grace call out from her bedroom. “Mommy!”

She sounds scared, so I hustle to the room to find her sitting up in bed with a terrified look in her eyes. I walk over to her and lay down on the twin bed with her. She immediately throws her arms around me.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask her gently, rubbing her back in soothing circles.

“It’s dark,” she sniffles. That’s when I look around and realize there isn’t a nightlight in the room. Mentally, I slap my forehead and curse at myself for forgetting that. At home, she’s got a night light, but I rarely use it because her curtains are thin and let a lot of light through before she wakes up in the morning. Here, Lincoln has thick curtains on every window that are meant to block out every bit of sunlight.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I forgot your night light.”

“I don’t want to stay here no more,” she cries into my shoulder.

I glance up at the door to her room to see Lincoln looking devastating in a fresh suit. He said he has to go into the office fora few hours this morning but will be done by the time me and Grace are finished with her visitation with Talia and Yasmine.

When I go to smile at him, I see how distressed he looks staring at Grace crying in my arms. I realize he must have heard her, and he’s probably blaming himself for not thinking of everything.

It’s okay,I mouth to him. This is just part of being a parent. Sometimes we mess up. Sometimes, we do everything right, and it’s still not enough.

He’ll have to learn that for himself, though. I remember that feeling…of not being enough, of not doing good enough for Grace in the beginning. The feeling is still there every now and then, but it’s easier to remind myself that I’m doing okay. Grace is happy, she’s healthy, and she’s loved.

That’s all we can really ask for as parents.

“Why don’t we get you a night light today after we see Yasmine, and then we’ll see if you can sleep tonight. Okay?” I won’t make her stay here if she doesn’t want to, but I also know my kid. She’ll be excited for another sleepover when she realizes there isn’t anything to be afraid of.

Maybe I’ll make Lincoln check under the bed and in the closet for monsters before I put her down tonight, too.

She nods.

“Okay. How about some breakfast? Pancakes?” I ask, trying to bribe her, and give a little tickle to her side.

The tears dry faster than they came as she giggles and tries to escape. “Yeah! Pancakes!” She jumps off the bed, landing on all fours before bouncing back up and bounding past Lincoln in the doorway, still tearstained but happy as can be.

I roll off the bed next and walk toward a dumbfounded Lincoln with a smirk. “Didn’t you hear the lady? She demands pancakes.”

“Chocolate chips,”echoes from the kitchen as the little brat overhears me.

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