Page 110 of Until the Ink Dries

“I love it!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms out, nearly busting me upside the head with her flowers.

I took that as my sign to put her little ass down.

“You want me to put your flowers into the vase with mine?” Willow asked her.

Charlie nodded eagerly, then handed her flowers over to Willow. I don’t know when Willow had gotten this vase; she rinsed it out then began cutting the stems of the flowers. Over the time since we had fully moved into this house, things of hers slowly made their way over here. I didn’t mind because to me, that only meant that we would soon all be living under one roof.

I leaned against the counter as I watched Willow maneuver like the lady of the house, which in my eyes, she was. Charlie rushed out of the kitchen and into the living room to play with her toys.

Willow gave me a soft smile as she washed her hands.

“So, how did it go? I didn’t want to ask in front of Charlie.”

I released a breath, then recounted the talk I had with Tierra. Willow stood and listened without interrupting.

She turned towards the stove, cutting off the burners and turning the oven down to low. Then, she took my hand into hers, leading me toward an empty room.

“Charlie, we will be right back.” Willow told her.

Charlie nodded and continued to watch some TV show while playing with her toys.

The moment we got into the room, she closed and locked the door behind her. There was a single chair in the room that she clearly had delivered here. She led me over and had me sit, then climbed into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Let it all go because after this moment, is your new beginning.”

I heard her loud and clear. All the baggage that Tierra brought into our dynamic had to be left behind. The signing of those papers marked the end of the emotional control she had over our lives. Over Charlie’s life, at least for now. Because I knew someday, Charlie would want real answers.

I laid my head against her chest and allowed all the pain I held to fall. Tears steadily fell from my eyes, but no words were spoken to acknowledge them, just the soothing circles of Willow’s hand on my back and against my neck. This woman unknowingly held every part of me within in her hands. All she had to do was say the word and I would do it.

I looked up in eyes that mirrored my own. She reached out and cleared away any remaining tears. I gripped her chin and slid my tongue against hers. I just needed to feel close to her. She stood from my lap and stepped out of her leggings while I freed myself from the confines of my jeans.

She stood over me, then slowly lowered herself until her breath caught in her throat. I didn’t want her fast or hard. I just needed everything that was Willow Dawson. Her lips latched onto mine to hold in our soft moans and groans. The steady grip her pussy had on my dick took us over the edge together.

If I didn’t know what love felt like before, I sure as hell knew what it felt like now.

A light knock at the door brought us out of our haze.

“Daddy and Ms. Willow, I’m hungry.” Charlie groaned outside of the door.

Willow cupped her hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter.

“We coming, baby,” I called out.

We waited until we were certain she was out of earshot to laugh.

“I guess duty calls, daddy.” Willow said, standing as I slipped out of her.

I smacked her ass, causing it to jiggle.

“Mhm, soon as that child takes her ass to bed, I’m gone need you to show how much you really love a nigga.”

Willow bit her lip. “Is that all?” She made her ass clap a little.

I stood from the chair as she raced towards the adjoining bathroom, giggling.

Damn. I was a lucky man.

SIX MONTHS LATER

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