Page 63 of Stables

Two boys and another girl. That sounds like a nice amount.

Fuck me and my intrusive thoughts.

Paisley throws out her arms and rolls one leg over the other, but doesn’t wake up after I gently place her onto her mattress.

“You’re a pro,” Char whispers.

“My sister-in-law had complications after the twins were born. Mason made me help for a while. Muscle memory.” I shrug and follow her back to the kitchen.

“I’d say Paisley left her mark on you.” Char smiles and wets a washcloth in the sink before handing it to me.

“Thanks.” I blindly wipe beneath my jaw and neck, hoping I’m getting the brunt of the mud off.

She leans against the counter, biting her lip and making small noises as she points to different places along my throat.

“Did I get it all?” Raising my chin, I tilt my head to the side for her to inspect.

“Um, let me see that.” She holds out her palm where I drop the damp cloth.

It seems to have gotten hotter.

With a tentative, gentle touch, she stands on her tiptoes and strokes the corner down over my Adam’s apple.

Then again.

Each time, fire races through my body in a building inferno.

I want her to keep going, trace my chest, move her palm lower.

But when I feel the brush of her skin against the hollow of my throat, I find myself wrapping my fingers around her wrist to stop her.

Not yet.

I can’t.

She isn’t ready for me.

“Thank you,” I choke out hoarsely, then step back.

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold myself together.

The corner of her mouth falls beneath her flushed cheeks. “Oh. Um, sure.” She turns quickly, rinsing out the dirty rag.

Shit. I hate that she must think I’ve rejected her.

I’m saving her.

She has no idea what I’m longing to do to her.

But too soon would be a disaster that we’d both regret.

After she moves to the fridge, I take my turn washing my hands before getting the plates down from the cupboard.

Our seats seem closer without the highchair between us.

“I hope a garden salad is okay?” Her mouth twists as she sets the heavy ceramic bowl on the table.

“Perfect.” I grab two glasses and add them to the placing.

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