Page 45 of Stevie
“I, uh, just didn’t want to inter–mmff.” Stevie’s mouth tastes like frosting, and fucking Christ, I want to consume her. I grip her cheek as I slip my tongue into her sweet mouth and nearly moan at the welcoming of her tongue against mine.
“I’m going to vomit!” Tyler groans, causing Stevie to break away, her face turning a stunning shade of red.
“Sorry,” she apologizes, and I glare at my sister before spinning Stevie around and tucking a turquoise lock of hair behind her ear. I let out a breathy chuckle while taking my thumb and brushing the flour off her cheek.
“Don’t be sorry. You can put your tongue down my throat anytime. Bug can take off if she doesn’t like it.”
“Shut up. Our parents are right there.” She mutters, and Nika scoffs.
“Not first time around a man bejbe. At least he good. Now your mama’s man,” she shudders, and Zora gasps.
“Mama!” she hisses, her cheeks going red before the two of them start shouting in Croatian.
“What are they saying?” I whisper to Stevie.
“It’s ummm… better you don’t know.” She gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Your shirt is on your bed.” My face falls.
“Oh, Stevie, no.” I groan as she beams up at me before patting my ass.
“Go on, you can’t be the odd man out.”
* * *
“Man,” Atlas sighs while looking over my yard. “This is beautiful. Oh, Howie, don’t eat that!” I watch as his toddling boy tries to lick the rocks on my water feature. Atlas scoops him up and looks around. “Okay,” he laughs. “Mommy didn’t see that, so Daddy isn’t in trouble. Anyway, this yard is really amazing.” I nod as we head back to the group set up in my yard. All are sitting around as the sun is beginning to set.
“Thanks, I enjoy it. There are a few new plants I’m trying to get in here,” I tell him and sit down next to Stevie, who is feeding Ash and Sunday’s baby girl, Evie. “But it’s becoming a pain to get healthy ones imported.”
“Why not call the woman who helped you before?” Stevie asks, and I shake my head.
“She’s been gone for years,”
“Good land,” Nika says approvingly. “Like… jungle.” She eyes Stevie and Zora, who both give her a groan. I make a mental note to ask Stevie about it later.
“How are things with the social media?” Sunday asks from her spot on Ash’s lap.
“Alright, I guess.” Stevie stands up as she puts Evie over her shoulder to burp her. “I try to stay off as much as possible, but the hate emails and people going to Nuts or Hel’s seem to have slowed down. The convention is going to be the real test, though.” We all fall silent. I would give my left nut to get her to cancel going. I know she won’t, though. It would kill her to not follow through with her commitments or to let someone down.
Atlas looks up from his spot on the ground with Howie and Ren. “Well, you know you’ll be safe at the convention with us there, Stevie. Nobody is going to hurt you.”
“Yeah,” Ren nods. “Plus, didn’t your old mentor get pulled from the convention? So you won’t have to worry about him either.” I shift uncomfortably as my eyes briefly lock with Nika’s. Nika gives me the slightest shake of the head before looking away. Stevie doesn’t know about Vincent’s visit to the donut shop or my questioning him afterward. I’m not thrilled with keeping it from her, but I also don’t want her to worry unnecessarily. It’s over, and he’s out of her life for good.
* * *
“Did you have a good birthday?” Stevie asks, while cleaning up the kitchen. I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her soft waist, nuzzling her neck and inhaling her scent.
“Mhm,” I mutter, inhaling again. It’s been a long night, and while I love everyone for coming out, my social battery is drained, and I just want to hold Stevie and ground myself.
“I still have to give you my present,” she laughs, and I shake my head.
“You gave me enough. Now, hold still, I’m enjoying this.” I mumble before whining when she wiggles free.
“Come on, Dawson,” she laughs as she drags me outside. We walk to my Jeep, and I raise a brow.
“What?” I ask, and she motions to the driver’s door. Walking around, I freeze at the yellow rubber duck with black sunglasses perched on my side mirror. I pick him up and see the paper under him.
Smile, I love you.
Xoxo Peaches
