Page 61 of James

“Stopped off at Ryder’s to see Trey,” she says. I can tell she wants me when her eyes linger on my mouth.

“Listen, Tatiana stopped by-”

“What did she want?” she asks, her attitude changing. I love the flush that turns her cheeks when she gets mad.

“Well, I guess she wanted me, but-”

“What the hell does that mean?” she fires.

“She may have tried to seduce me,” I explain sheepishly. “I told her to leave and never come back. It won’t happen again,” I tell her, my eyes and tone conveying that I'll make sure it doesn’t.

“I can’t even leave you alone for a minute,” she says, crossing her arms against her chest. The motion draws my gaze to her plumped breasts. I always thought they were the perfect size, a little over a handful.

“Eyes up here, buddy.” She laughs, making the objects of my attention jiggle. In one swift move I lift her up and over my shoulder, ignoring her squeal of surprise. I head to our bedroom and throw her down on it, instantly covering my body with hers. I kiss her greedily, my tongue delving into her mouth, swiping at hers. I clasp our hands together, intertwining our fingers. I raise them above her head, pressing them into the bed as I move my mouth from her lips to the curve of her jaw.

“James?” she says my name huskily, her voice raspy with pleasure.

“Yeah.”

“Fuck me,” she begs.

***

Soft and pliant in my arms, Sasha offers me a lazy, sated smile. I am so head over heels for this woman, it’s almost embarrassing. I brush a stray lock of inky black hair from her face, leaning forward to kiss her on the temple. Sasha is so precious. And all mine. I can’t suppress the sappy grin that I know is plastered on my face.

“James?”

“Yes, beautiful?”

“You needa pick up Jye from daycare,” she says. I glance over at the clock, and what do you know, I have twenty minutes to get there. I jump in the shower first, cos I figure smelling like sex would be inappropriate, and head off to go and pick up Jye.

I stop at the park on the way home, so Jye and I can have an hour or so of playing time together. He looks so adorable in his superman t-shirt, dark jeans and Converses. I push him on the swings, delighting in his chuckles and squeals of pleasure. When he's had enough of them, I lift him in the air so his face is level with mine. His eyes, so like my own stare back at me. I kiss him on the nose and then take him to the slide.

“Weeee,” he shouts as he slides down, and I chuckle, pulling out my camera to record the moment. Yes, I am now one of those parents.

On our drive home, I see him. I recognise him instantly. He walks with a quick pace to his car, looking around suspiciously before he gets in. I memorize the licence plate. I know in that instant, I need to get home.

Right now.

I drive there as quickly as I can, unbuckling Jye and taking him in my arms. I unlock the front door and as soon as it’s open, I run into our bedroom. I stand still when I see her lying in bed. Covered by red sheets, she lies there. Asleep. Perfectly fine. I put Jye down and drop to my knees next to the bed. I sigh in relief as I take her in, unhurt and safe.

Was it him I saw? One of the three men who put me in hospital that day? I make Jye something to eat, and then call my police contacts. Not Tatiana, like I usually would, but another officer. I need to know if this man is locked up, or if he was indeed in my neighbourhood, possibly seeking revenge or still looking for his wife.

I won’t let anything or anyone put my family in jeopardy.

***

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sasha

“Did you miss me?” I ask Ryder, unable to contain my smile.

“Of course I did,” he says, pulling me into his arms for a warm hug.

“You’re not gonna lecture me, are you?” I ask him, wide eyed.

Ryder chuckles. “No, I’m not.”

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