Page 9 of Till Cupid Do Us Part

When I join her in the living room, she’s staring down at the first photo album of at least fifteen that have been collected over the years. The writing along the sides of the page she’s focused on has my name and a date from too long ago.

I curl an arm around her and rest my chin on the top of her head. “I’d bet she looks more like you.”

“Not at all. I had a nose the size of a brick and a tiny chin. Totally messed-up facial proportions. Junie has perfect proportions of everything.”

“Every parent thinks that. I bet if you asked your mom, she’d tell you that you were the cutest baby she’d ever seen.”

“Are you saying that our daughter isn’t really that adorable?” she asks, flipping to another page in the book.

The first photo I see is of me and my dad in the bar. I’m only five years old, according to the date on the corner, but am double-fisting empty bottles of beer while standing on the counter in a snowsuit.

I tuck Ivy’s hair behind her ear. “I’d never lie about our daughter. She’s perfect like her mom.”

“Hmm,” she hums in disbelief.

“You need to tell me what’s goin’ on in that head of yours, angel.”

“I’m just enjoying learning about you.”

“That’s not all.”

“Can’t we just enjoy our time here, Niko? Why do we have to talk about things that are only going to bring down the vibes?”

Gently, I set my hands on her shoulders and turn her to face me. She avoids my eyes. That doesn’t stop me from focusing mine wholly on her while stroking a knuckle along her cheek.

“I’d enjoy my time with you no matter what, Ivy. But we need to talk. I feel you pushin’ me away, and I’ll be honest, that shit cuts me deep.”

Her features tighten, pain streaking through her gaze when she lifts it. “What?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t care that you hardly let me touch you anymore? You’re the woman I love. The moment something ain’t right with you, I know. Emotionally, physically, spiritually. Nobody knows you better than I do, and it’s fuckin’ killin’ me to think you’re pullin’ back. If I did somethin’ to hurt you, please tell me so I can fix it,” I plead, desperation thick in the words. There’s no point in hiding it. “I love you, angel. Love youso goddamn much I’m dyin’ inside without the full weight of yours.”

“Niko,” she whispers, pressing her palms to my chest. I shudder beneath her touch. “Don’t think like that. I love you so much.”

“So tell me what’s wrong. Please.”

“I . . . I—” She squeezes her eyes shut, fingers curling. “I’m just emotional. Hormonal, you know? I’m still getting back to normal, and add in breastfeeding . . . I just need some time.”

“Some time for what?” I ask, voice sharper than I intend it to be.

Frustration bleeds into my mind. She’s lying to me. Still.

“I don’t know. To sort myself out, I guess.”

“And you can’t do that without pushin’ me away?”

“Please, Niko. I just want to enjoy our time here together without all this other stuff.”

“You mean my honesty?”

She twists her mouth, head shaking. “No, that’s not . . .shit.”

Her hands lift to cup her breasts before she huffs a sigh of annoyance. The thin fabric of her shirt has already been straining around the heaviness of them, but now, twin wet spots appear, turning it translucent where her nipples are. They’re so engorged that I could suck them into my mouth through her shirt.

I wet my lips before flattening them. With every inhale and exhale, I try to stifle my arousal. It doesn’t work. With my emotions already so strong and exposed, I’m a weak, horny bastard.

“The pump is in the bedroom. I need to shower,” I grunt before rushing away from her.

The ache in my balls is painful as I disappear into the bathroom and close the door behind me. Leaning back against it,I unzip my jeans and pull my cock out, immediately wrapping it in a tight fist.

---