Page 85 of Secret Love

I thrust against her, and she tilts back into me again, gasping. I lean over and grab one of the condoms from the table and slide it on, my fingers reaching between her legs to see if she's ready for me.

“I like how you’re so wet for me,” I say in her ear.

“Always,” she says.

I enter her slowly, and it's perfect.

I could really get used to waking up like this.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

THAT AGE-OLD QUESTION

TRU

It's hard to tear myself away from Henley, but I finally manage to get out of bed. I clean the house a little bit, put clean sheets on the guest bed, and check to see what I need to pick up from the grocery store. Henley is being helpful too, vacuuming the living room.

I gave Jacklyn a vague idea about what's going on and she said to just take the day off. I had offered to come in for a littlewhile and leave early to pick up my mom, but she knew I would probably need to get ready for her. I'm grateful for the time. When Henley's done vacuuming, he asks what he can do next.

“You're so good,” I tell him. “I’m not used to a man like you. It's going to take me a while to get acclimated.”

He laughs. “Okay, I'll be around. Do you want me to mop the kitchen?”

“Are you for real?”

“Yep. You remember I’ve got three kids and kids are messy…”

“But so are men, right?” I say, laughing.

“Some are, for sure. Tell me what you need.”

“I would love for you to mop and then I can run to the store, pick up a few things, and head to the airport.”

“Or you could let me run to the store and I could even take you to the airport.”

“Don't you need to take the girls to dance?” I ask.

“Bree had already offered to take them. She had some shopping to do on Jupiter. I'll see the girls later today.”

“Well, I might just keep cleaning a little bit. I need to take care of Earl's litter box…” I stop and look at him apologetically. “I feel bad taking you from the girls. You don't need to go to the store or the airport, but thank you.”

“Are you sure? Don't say what you think I want to hear.”

“No, I'm sure. I think it will be good for my mom and me to have some time together when she gets here. I can't wait for you to meet her…but today is probably not the day.”

“Yeah, I understand. Okay, mopping it is. And then I will get going.”

I walk over and kiss him and he shakes his head. “Nope, none of that, or we won't get anything done.”

I laugh and smack his bum. “Good point.”

I'm waiting for my mom at the first possible spot when she gets through the gate.

I hardly recognize her at first. She's normally so put together that it's hard to see her like this. She looks so thin and weary. Her hair is going everywhere. She collapses into my arms and doesn't cry, but it feels like she needs help even standing.

“Oh, Mom, I'm so glad you're here, and I'm so sorry this has happened.”

She nods and studies my face, her hands on my cheeks.

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