Page 79 of When Morning Comes Around

His heart sank. He liked the idea of being able to hold her, to feel her body against his while he kissed her. “No?”

“No. If I get you back there, then one way or another, we’re not getting out until we somehow manage the act itself, as you so delicately put it.”

He laughed as he palmed her cheek. “Have you seen the size of me? How can you call anything about me delicate?”

Her hand came up to cover her mouth, and her eyes seemed huge above it as she laughed. “I was talking about the words you chose, but now you’ve got me wondering about the size of you.”

“Well, if you won’t come in the back with me, you’re just going to have to wait to find out.”

She climbed up in her seat and leaned across the console so that she could rest her hands on his shoulders as she kissed him. Dom couldn’t help it. He reached down and pressed the button to slide his seat as far back as it would go. When he had some room, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She laughed as she ended up sitting awkwardly on his lap, squashed in between him and the steering wheel.

He tightened his arms and smiled down at her. “I think we can call this a compromise.”

“I like it – although if anyone pulls up next us, I think it might be considered a compromising position.”

“I’m happy to take the chance if you are.”

She wriggled, making him close his eyes at the feel of her round ass against his aching cock. “I’m happy.”

Chapter Eighteen

When Sadie came downstairs on Monday morning, she was surprised to find her dad sitting at the table in the kitchen. He looked better; his bruising was fading, but more than that, he looked brighter, stronger, more like his old self. He was dressed and ready for the day and was working his way through a large bowl of oatmeal.

“Morning, honey bun. There’s coffee in the pot, and oatmeal on the stove if you want some.”

“Thanks.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down beside him. “What are you up to today?”

“What does it look like?”

“It looks like you’re planning to get back to work.”

“You always were a smart girl.”

She laughed. “Are you sure…”

The look he shot her silenced her. “We both know you don’t need to ask that question. I’ve had enough of sitting around on my ass. I’m doing better, and you know what they say – use it or lose it. Don’t worry, I won’t go overboard, but I’m starting to feel like if I don’t get back to work soon, I never will.”

“And you want to?”

“I do. There’ll be days when I don’t want to drag my ass out of bed. But it beats the alternative. I either keep going, or I sit in that armchair, watch my shows, and eat toffees until I fade away.”

“I understand, I do. Just… Would you try not to overdo it?”

He met her gaze and smiled. “I will. I’m not trying to go crazy; I just want to keep going. I know you’re only looking out for me; I know you want to keep me around as long as possible, and I love you, too. But I’d rather live for a shorter time than exist for longer. So, if one day I’m out there in the nursery and I keel over – drop dead – I want you to be happy for me.”

She made a face.

“Okay, so maybe not happy, but you know what I mean. If you get to thinking that you should’ve done more, should’ve tried to make me take it easier, I want you to remember this conversation, okay? I’d rather keep doing what I do and enjoying it for one more year than sit in that chair for another twenty.”

“Okay.” Her heart sat heavy in her chest. She understood where he was coming from, and she totally respected his right to choose how he lived what was left of his life. She just didn’t want to think about him not being around anymore – in one more year or in twenty.

“Anyway, that’s enough of that. We’ve established that I’m going back to work today; what are you doing?”

“You know what I’m doing – I’m going to the garage to talk to Jake about going back to work myself.”

He grinned. “He’s a good ‘un. I like him. I have to ask, though – are you just helping him out, or do you need the money?”

She sipped her coffee, and he nodded.

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