Page 6 of Finding Hope

“Sounds like someone else I know.” His daughter idolized her aunt and they had a shared love of reading. “I’m hitting the sack. Love you.” Jonathon pulled his sister into his arms and hugged her. He kissed the top of her head, then let her go. “See you in the morning.” In his room, he shut the door and locked it. He walked to his dresser, pulled it open, and grabbed the framed photo.

He sat heavily on the edge of the bed, staring down at the picture of Alex, Josie, and himself. He remembered that day so vividly. The day Josie was born, he was nineteen and Alex was only eighteen. They were just kids, but they were in love. Things weren’t always easy for them in the beginning, but they were determined to make a life for their daughter.

In the picture, Alex was sitting cross-legged on the bed with Josie wrapped in a pink blanket in her arms. Jonathon sat behind Alex with his arms wrapped around both of his girls. That had been the day he brought Tessa up to meet her niece. Alex and Jonathon both agreed that Tess would be Josie’s godmother. His sweet sister cried when they asked her. To this day, she took that job very seriously.

The picture tucked behind it was the day they got married. The wedding took place on a hot summer day at the park that he and his sister used to go to all the time with their mom before she got sick. It was tied with the day Josie was born as the best day of his life. Alex wore a white sundress that showed off her tan, her hair in a simple twist with flowers woven through it.

My girl never wore a lot of makeup, but she never needed it. She was a natural beauty. Her hair had been almost white-blonde and her eyes the palest blue.

When they were in bed at night, he would kiss every one of her freckles.

“I miss you, Alex. I miss you so fucking much that sometimes I can’t breathe.” Every time he talked to her, he prayed that she would answer back, but nothing ever came.

***

“This picture’s gorgeous, baby girl.” Jonathon held a painting of purple flowers in his hands. His daughter had a natural talent for art. She definitely got it from her mom. He couldn’t draw a stick figure to save his life. Josie smiled at his praise. “I think I want to get this framed. Where should we hang it?” His little girl walked into the living room from where they were sitting in the dining room, and spun around in circles. She ended up picking the spot next to her school picture.

“Right here. So you can see it every day.” Jonathon went to the hall closet and grabbed an empty frame. While Josie put the picture in the frame, he grabbed a nail and his hammer. Once the picture was hung, Jonathon scooped Josie up into his arms while they both stared at the painting.

“It looks perfect there, baby girl. Now remember, as soon as your aunt gets home, I’m going out for a bit. I probably won’t be home before you go to bed.” Guilt plagued him as his daughter rested her cheek on his shoulder.

He kissed her cheek before setting her down and going into the bathroom. Jonathon nervously ran his hand through his hair and then tried to smooth it out a bit. He brushed his teeth and then splashed on a little cologne. Underneath his sink, he grabbed a paper bag. Inside were a couple boxes of condoms. He pulled out a strip and put them in his wallet.

When he made it back out into the living room, his sister was walking through the front door. He pulled her into the kitchen. “I’m going to take off. Jos knows I’m going and that she’ll be asleep when I get home. Are you sure you’re okay with me going out?”

She started bouncing in place. “Do you have a date?” Tessa clapped her hands excitedly.

“No, not a date. I’m just going out.”

“Oh. Well, okay. Have a good time tonight.” He hated that she looked bummed out, but he didn’t want to explain it to her.

He grabbed her by the shoulders. “Love you, and don’t forget to lock up after me.” Once he said goodbye to Josie, he made his way out to his car. His palms were sweating as he made his way toward Shannon’s place. Was he expecting her to sleep with him? No, but he was hopeful.

When he finally reached her place, he parked on the street in front of a nice looking duplex. It was one story, brick. One side was covered in colorful flowers and looked well maintained. The other side, not so much, and of course from what he knew of Shannon her side was more than likely the immaculate side. She seemed to like pretty things and was very girly.

He walked up to the door and before he could knock, it swung open. Shannon stood on the other side, smiling nervously at him. “Hi.” She pushed the screen door open and moved out of the way as he walked inside. A light flowery scent hit him as he stepped into the living room. Her space was small, but it was decorated just how he thought it would be. Shannon’s furniture was a dark tan and covered in pillows in various shades of pink and purple.

On the wall was a family photo and she had to be at least ten or eleven in the picture. She was petite even then. The rest of the pictures were of her with various family members. He felt her as she came and stood beside him. “Would you like something to drink? I don’t have stuff for Jack and Coke but I’ve got beer, wine or tea.”

“I’ll take a beer, thanks.” He watched her walk away, admiring the way she looked in the little sundress she was wearing. She was petite but had long slender legs. When she returned a few minutes later she handed him his bottle and took a sip of her own.

At the bar, they’d never had any trouble finding stuff to talk about, but now neither of them said anything. Why was he nervous? In the past five years, sex had been infrequent for him—just a quick fuck to get off and get them off. He liked Shannon and he knew they could have some fun together.

Jonathon set his beer on the end table and turned back to Shannon. He reached out, tucking a loose curl back behind her ear, mindful of her implant. He watched the slightest shade of pink touch her cheeks. “Are you nervous?”

“Maybe a little. I’m not a virgin or anything, but I’ve never done the whole casual sex thing.” By the time she was done talking, her cheeks were bright red.

Jonathon stroked her cheek. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re two adults who happen to be attracted to each other.” He tipped her chin up and leaned down until his lips were close to hers. “We’ll go slow. If you tell me to stop, we’ll stop.”

The moment his lips touched hers, he needed more. Her lips were soft and plump and she tasted like mint with a hint of beer. At first it was a slow kiss, but then he felt Shannon’s tongue touch his lips. He slid his hand into her ponytail, fisted it and then used it to pull back her head. She gasped and he thrust his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues dueled and the heady feeling of her body pressed against his caused his dick to harden in his jeans.

She grabbed onto his shoulders to steady herself. With their lips still connected, Jonathon moved his hands slowly down her body until they were on her ass. He pulled her tightly to his body so there was no way she could miss his massive erection. With their lips fused together, he lifted her up until her legs wrapped around his hips.

He’d always been a fan of kissing. He and Alex—he stopped himself from going there. He couldn’t think about her right now, not with Shannon in his arms. “Where’s your bedroom?” he whispered huskily against her lips.

“Second door on the left.” With her still wrapped around his body, he made his way down the hall to her bedroom. Once inside, he set her down so she was standing in front of him. The lamp was already on, which was good. He wanted to see every inch of her.

Chapter Four

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