Page 28 of Wedded to a Wayne

I glance at the peach flavored lip balm I’m holding in my hand before setting it down and turning to face her. She’s standing in the open door, her expression uncertain. “I thought you might be sleeping somewhere else.”

She’d been expecting it after our fight, I know. That I wouldn’t come in for our evening makeout session. That I might not sleep beside her. It was why she’d taken that work call along with her laptop into the dining room, leaving me to get the kids in bed.

“That was Jae on the phone, right? I heard you mention Noah and Zach.”

She purses her lips together, a small line between her brow. “Yes. He’s having some interpersonal difficulties. Unfortunately, Joey is in New Zealand at the moment, so he had to talk to me instead. I don’t think I was all that helpful.” She looks away from me. “It’s not my night to be helpful, apparently.”

I eat up the distance between us, and close and lock the door, brushing my body against hers with purpose. “New rule. When we close this door, it’s just you and me. Nothing else matters.”

“That’s an irrational edict,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Even on this side of the door, this problem is between you and me. You don’t want me to be there for your kids. You didn’t tell me Barry had a follow-up doctor’s appointment. You didn’t tell me your mother needed them picked up early yesterday, and you forgot to tell me that I was supposed to bring a side dish to Thanksgiving. And tonight, when I was trying to help, you shut me down.”

I run a hand over my head in frustration. “I’ve been taking care of the details on my own for a while, Tanisha. I know they stayed with their mother, too, but all those appointments? Their school supplies and teacher conferences? Every injury? That was on me. I’ve been the one they looked to and relied on, and I’m used to doing things a certain way.”

She walks over to the dresser, looking tired. Did I do that to her?

“I know you are,” she says, “which is why I agreed that I wouldn’t come in and take over. But we also stipulated that we would communicate when it came to them, so we could project a unified front. That I’d be able to be a part of their lives when they were ready for it. Part of this family. Barry liked my label maker,” she finishes quietly. “And I was showing him a way that he can organize his thoughts when they feel cluttered, just like we organized his toys. Pulling them out, looking at them, seeing where they belong. It helped him.”

I move closer and reach for her but stop myself, hands hovering over her body. “You already are a part of this family, Tanisha. And you did help. I’m sorry. I’m still getting used to this. To us. I want to say I won’t fuck up again, but I’m not sure that’s true. I’ve never been the easiest Wayne to get along with. That was always Thoreau and Austen. Never me.”

“That’s not true.” When she looks up at me, her expression has softened. “We’ve done pretty well for the most part. Getting along.”

“That’s all because of you,” I tell her honestly, giving in and cupping her cheek. Her skin feels like velvet. “I was expecting trouble, you know. Irritating habits. The kids acting out, despite our conversations with them. But you came in and everything got better instead. Brighter.”

“Now you’re sucking up,” she teases.

I tighten my grip on her face. “It’s the truth. You’ve got us all under your spell, Tanisha Wayne. I’m not used to having this with anyone. Wanting this with anyone.”

“Neither am I.” Her lips part on a sigh and I find myself fascinated by their shape. “Do you want to watch a show tonight?”

“No.”

“It doesn’t have to be a—”

“No,” I say again. “Tonight, I want my wife.”

“You do?”

“Do you want me to show you how much?”

She swallows, nodding. “Yes, please.”

I kiss her with all the passion I’ve been holding back from her, lifting her off her feet and carrying her to the bed.

She moans against my lips as her back hits the mattress, and I immediately go to work on the ties of her wraparound skirt. “Emerson, wait. I have to—”

I kiss her again, cutting off her denials. “You’ll let me take it off. You’ll trust me enough tonight.”

Her body stiffens a bit before she blows out a shaky breath and stares at me with wide eyes. “Yes. I’ll let you.”

I drag the skirt off impatiently, staring at the blue lace covering her sex. “Pull those panties to the side while I do my duty. I want to get a good look at what I’ll be tasting as soon as I’m done.”

She gasps, but her hand instantly drops to her panties, shakily tugging them to the side. “Like this?”

Fuck, she’s already so wet she’s glistening. “That’s right, baby. You’re making my mouth water, seeing you ready for me.”

My hands shake as I reach for the socket I’ve watched her remove every night for weeks. I looked it up at work, as well as all the things I’d need to watch for in the future to take care of her. I want to take care of her.

I need to.

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