Page 46 of Reclaim

“Has it been good having him home?” I wait patiently to see if she’ll answer, or whether I’ve overstepped an invisible line.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” she reveals cautiously. “I was nervous, but the more time we spend together, the more I realise we’re the same. We like the same things and find the same things funny.” The innocence in her response is heart-stopping. To be worried about whether you would get along, as opposed to why he was away, or what that did to her family, is the true definition of unconditional love.

“He ate a lot of popcorn though, and he’s a terrible sharer,” she adds, pulling me out of my musings.

“That’s true. Next time we have a bowl each.”

“I like the sound of next time.”

We both stare at the man sprawled out in front of us, his continued presence significant to two very different relationships.

“Thanks for tonight Emerson, I really enjoyed your company.”

“No, there’s nothing to thank me for. You’re the one who let me crash daddy-daughter night.”

“I’m going to head off to bed. I’m really tired.” She leans forward, kissing her dad on his forehead. “Night, dad.”

He stirs, slowly adjusting his eyes to his surroundings. “Shit,” he groans. “I fell asleep.”

“Emerson already told me she’s upset with you,” Dakota taunts. “You’ll have to beg for her forgiveness.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Is that right? And are you mad too?”

“No. I’m going to go to bed, but tomorrow there will be a quiz on what you watched.”

He chuckles. “I can’t wait. Let me come and tuck you in.” He kisses my forehead. “I’ll be back.”

“Take your time.”

“Bye Emerson.” Dakota waves at me as she walks away, and I return the gesture. Picking up the empty bowls and glasses, I head to the kitchen and add the dishes to the dishwasher.

I hear his footsteps before I see him. “Thank you for spending time with her.” His lips skim the length of my shoulder. “She really enjoyed herself.”

Angling my head, I give his mouth room to roam. ”It was my pleasure.”

“Stay over.”

“Is that a question or an order?” Every weekend has been a test, trying to fight the urge to take the plunge.

“Whichever one gives me the thing I want most.”

“What’s that?” I ask, coyly.

“You,” he says, his fingers sinking into my torso, and his thick erection pressing into my lower back. “All of you.”

Spinning me around he wastes no time with words, kissing me with frantic need. His hunger and thirst for me is borderline savage, and I couldn’t tame him if I tried. His tongue invades my mouth, and I welcome the onslaught.

Abruptly he stops. “I can’t do this.”

My lips pulsate from the pressure of his kisses, and I whimper at the loss of contact. “What’s wrong?”

“I want to take it slow, Em. I want to worship every inch of your fucking body.” His voice cracks. He’s barely hanging on by a thread.

“Listen to me,” I demand. “I know what you’re up against. I know where you’ve been and what you’ve been without. I want to give myself to you in all the ways you want me.” Standing on my tiptoes, I hold his jaw and bring his ear near my mouth. “So, stop overthinking it and fuck me like you mean it, Jagger. Because we’ve got forever for fairytales.”

His body coils at my invitation. His eyes blaze, my words lighting him up in flames. He literally throws me over his shoulder, and I cover my mouth to stop my squeal from waking up the rest of the house. It takes less then three steps to reach his room where he drops me onto the bed and stares at me with wonder.

Reaching for the bottom of my tank, I raise it over my head and throw it on the floor. Only my lace bra stops my breasts from spilling over.

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