Page 87 of Mine to Worship

“How is Esther?” Walter asks, and my wife’s eyes pin him.

“It’s hard to say. She seems happy from the outside. Having Jake there helps her, but she loved you in a way that scarred her. I admire a man that stands next to a woman that will offer him only crumbles of her heart because that is all she has left.”

His jaw twitches, and he nods before looking away to stare outside the window.

I am both astounded and incredulous at Ellia’s sharp tongue. She leans her head against my shoulder and I bring her hand to my lips, kissing her palm.

“Don’t feel guilty. He deserved that,” I whisper to her.

I could have never found someone better than her.

Chapter 31

Ellia

I refuse to feel guilty over my words. Not only did Walter lie and abandon his own son, but he hurt my aunt irreparably, though, if I am being fair, she knew what she was getting herself into. Neither of them will win a morality contest, but who appointed me the judge?

When the server shows us to our table, I blurt.

“I overstepped and I wish I could blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but that would be unfair to my baby.”

Kian bursts into laughter, and Walter’s eyes fill with understanding.

“I deserved it.”

“I am not saying no to that.”

Kian’s laughs start up again. I pierce him with a look and add, “But you were both adults, and both of you are responsible for your actions. And you can call yourself lucky to have a son like Kian.”

After that, I hide my face behind my menu, never so happy to see one.

I decide on roasted vegetables with caramelized duck. Kian stays loyal to his usual steak, and Walter orders the steak tartare. The rest of the dinner goes smoothly, no more hints at the past and no more jabs.

“So it will be a winter baby?” Walter asks.

“Yes, the doctor said around Christmas,” Kian offers, sending me a look filled with adoration.

I smile at my husband before turning to his father. “Considering the arrival of the baby, I would like to invite you for Christmas at our place. My parents will be there, and I hope that Brandon will join us as well.”

“I would love to,” he says, and I feel better. When I lift my gaze to Kian, a bright smile lifts the corners of his lips. He interlinks our hands and lifts them to his mouth to place a tender kiss on mine.

After dessert, Kian takes out his wallet and shows Walter a pic of our baby. My heart warms at the moment they share.

When we get back to the chalet, I say goodnight to both men, and leave Kian to show his father to the guest room. I am about to undress when the door opens, and Kian walks inside, with a spring in his step that hadn’t been there before. Even though the conversation with his father was hard, I believe it started a healing process for him, and I don’t want to ruin it by asking him any questions tonight. I just want to get lost in him.

I drop to my knees and fumble with his belt.

“Is my angel eager for my cock?” he asks.

I yank his belt loose, unzip his pants and kiss his happy trail. “Famished.”

He shudders and gathers my hair in his fist.

“Open that mouth for me so I can feed you my cock.”

With our eyes locked, he takes his pleasure from my mouth.

“You tell me if it’s too much.” Even behind his dilated eyes, his care for me is clear. After a few pumps, he pulls out of my mouth, and I lick my swollen lips.

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