Page 110 of Second Down Darling

Jake makes a face and playfully grumbles, “I thought I was your favoriteboy.”

Over Asher’s shoulder, I smile. “You’re my favoriteman.”

He waggles his eyebrows at me, and I chuckle. I’m sure both of us are counting down the minutes until we can be alone tonight, but I also want some time withAsher.

Jake kneels next to me and whispers, “Let’s make things official.” Then he presses a kiss to his son’s forehead. “Ash, how would you feel if Charlotte was my girlfriend?” He winks at me and adds, “I know we’re well past this part, but I want him to know you’re going to be a permanent fixture in ourlives.”

Asher yells in excitement before he hugs me tight. “Aruuu my mommynow?”

Oh, my heart.I blink furiously to stem the tide that wants to erupt. I glance at Jake, who’s giving me a softsmile.

My voice cracks. “I hope to be someday,baby.”

After I introduce Ash to my one-eyed pirate cat, who he’s really excited about, we order pizza and watch one of Asher’s movies. He snuggles up between me and Jake while Duke sprawls at our feet and Winkie stretches out in the windowsill. It’s absoluteperfection.

When it’s bedtime, Jake tucks in Asher, and I take Duke out to potty one more time. The moment I return, Jake grabs my hand and walks me to his bedroom where he locks the door and flips on the monitor. “Finally.”

As I look up at Jake, I’m all up in my feelings. After everything that’s happened, we somehow made it to thispoint.

He grabs my chin and tilts my face up. “I love you, cupcake, and I’ve missed you somuch.”

My voice cracks once more and my eyes turn into faucets again. “Lo-love youtoo.”

“Everything’s okay now,baby.”

He holds me as I sob against his chest. I cry for the time we lost in high school and for the years he dated my sister and for the pain we caused each other this last week. And when the last tear falls, I promise myself I’ll never shed another one over thepast.

“Let’s start with a clean slate, okay?” Iask.

His thumbs slide against my cheek as he dries my face. “Clean slate.” But then he smiles and whispers in my ear, “I can still get you a little dirty tonight, though,right?”

I laugh and squeeze him tight. “So, sodirty.”

“Filthy,” he growls as he takes my earlobe between histeeth.

He pulls me closer, and I feel that giant bulge against my stomach. It feels so good to know he wants me as much as I wanthim.

Using that to make me brave, I step out of his arms and tug off my t-shirt and slide off my jeans, so I’m just standing in a sheer bra and a tiny pair ofpanties.

He takes my hair out of my ponytail, and I shake it loose. My body heats under his slowperusal.

“Fuck, you’regorgeous.”

I unsnap my bra and let it fall to the ground. Wiggle out of my undies. The whole time, he watches me with those blazing hoteyes.

And then, because I feel so sexy under his gaze, I crawl onto the bed and glance back at him. “Are you joiningme?”

I curl up with a pillow as he curses under his breath and tugs off his t-shirt, putting all of those rippling muscles on display. Next, he pops open his jeans and slides them down with his boxerbriefs.

His hard length springs forward, and he runs his hand up and down hiscock.

Goosebumps spill across my body as I watch, and I squeeze my thighstogether.

“Touch yourself.” His low command makes my nipplespebble.

This might sound crazy, but I love when he tells me what to do. It makes all of my anxiety meltaway.

I roll onto my back and spread my legs. His eyes are riveted to my hand as it slowly moves down my body. Pausing to pinch one nipple. Then the other. Down my stomach. Finally dipping between mythighs.

---