Page 62 of Shattered Dreams

How many times did he throw things while he was screaming at me or the kids and followed it with an, ‘I’m sorry’? How often did he stay out late? How many other women were there? Does all this matter anymore? Do you want to stay here in the past or move forward?

“Shit.” I muttered to myself as the tears fell.

I needed to tell Richie why I left. And once he knows, then I’ll know if we have a future together.

It wasn’t until I heard the credits roll that I realized I’ve officially taken the longest bath of my adult life. Pulling the plug in the drain, I stood up and showered off.

I felt so selfish. I’ve let a man deal with my kids alone for over an hour.

Wrapping my hair up, I tossed on my nightshirt, cleaned up my mess, and went to check on everyone.

There. All on one bed. I found all six of them. Emma was asleep on Richie’s chest. Briar was next to him with her head on his shoulder. Grady was on the other shoulder. Harrison was on the other side of Briar and with his head on Richie’s stomach was Tyler.

I went back to the other room and grabbed my phone to take some pictures. This was quite possibly the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. After I took a few pictures, I decided to let them sleep. Taking a couple of steps to the other bed, I see all the candy and crumbs on it.

Thankfully, there’s a clean bed in the other room and I crawled in the king size bed alone. My head hit the pillow, and that’s the last thing I remembered.

Sleep overtook me and when I felt the bed dip, sometime later I felt the frown forming on my face. I opened one eye and glanced at the clock, noting it was two in the morning.

All I needed to do was act like I’m asleep. He’ll feel me up, be a three-pump-chump, and then I can get back to my dreams.

He stretched out beside me, pulling me back against him.

This is new.

Soft kisses pressed against my shoulder, up to my neck. His tongue licked a line up to my ear, where he suckled my lobe while his hand slipped up under my nightshirt, cupping my breast.

I sighed, then took a deep breath, ready to steel myself for him to fuck me when I caught a whiff of something different.

Earthy, clean with a hint of motor oil. What’s going on?

“You feel so good.” He whispered, pressing another kiss to my ear.

He likes how I feel?

His hand gently squeezed my breast, massaging down to pinch my nipple, and I saw stars behind my eyelids. Running my hand over his arm, it felt furrier.

What is with me? I haven’t been turned on by John in years.

Arching my back, I pressed my ass against his hardness and am floored when he nestled his erection against me.

“Mmm, my sweet Jojo.” He groaned in my ear as his hand ventured down. “Your body is so sexy.”

My eyes popped open, and I gasped. “Richie.”

“Need to take your shirt off. It’s in my way.”

“The kids …”

“Are asleep.” He rolled back and pulled me with him before moving over my body.

His lips covered mine, and his tongue darted into my mouth, teasing mine. He worked my nightshirt up and over my head, keeping my arms trapped in the sleeves. He twisted it and pulled my arms above my head.

“What?” I asked, and he licked my lips.

“Shhh. Don’t wanna wake our babies.” His kisses moved from my lips down my neck to my breasts.

My floppy, flat, deflated joy bags of fun.

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