Page 44 of Wake Me Up
She rests her cheek on the headrest, looking at me. “I just don’t even know how to do this. I have kids. I don’t want to move too quickly.” She cringes. “What if they find out we got married?”
I can hear all the worry in her voice, so I cup her cheek, rubbing my thumb against her face to try to ease her concerns. I don’t have the answers for her when it comes to her kids, but I know I don’t plan on doing anything to hurt her or upset them.
“I don’t know what to tell you to do about your kids. They are yours, and you know them better than anyone else. And as someone who lost his father at a young age, I know my mom never wanted to do anything to upset my sister and me.” The words about my dad—something I hardly ever talk about—come out unexpectedly, but before I can wish them back, I dip my face a little closer, looking into her eyes. “But I will tell you this: If you want to go slow, we’ll go slow. But please, don’t push me away. I’d cut my arm off before I hurt you, Freya. You’ve been through enough.”
These feelings have grown so fucking fast. I look at this woman, and I see a future. I don’t want to be her fake husband. I want to be anything she needs me to be. Same goes for her kids.
I’m not this guy. But for them … I want to be.
“You lost your dad?” she whispers, and when I nod, her face becomes distraught. “I’m sorry, Tripp.” Her eyes dance between mine for a moment. “It makes sense now though.”
“What does?”
She smiles sadly. “Why you care about my kids so much. It’s because you’ve been there.” She pauses, looking into my eyes.
Suddenly, her lips are on mine, and she’s kissing me hard and fast. The longer we kiss, the more blood rushes to my cock, making it stand up straight in desperation.
Pulling back, she’s as breathless as me, gasping for air. I expect her to look scared or to run away.
Instead, she smiles, dipping her forehead to mine. “I have to go inside before the boys get suspicious.”
“When can I see you again?” I slide my palm along her face and into her hair.
Her lips press to mine once more, and she pulls back. “Text me.” She shrugs before pushing the door open and giving me one last smile. “Oh, and let me know about a lesson too,Coach.”
For once, when she closes the door and walks away, she doesn’t look regretful or distressed. Instead, she almost skips along.
And, yeah … I watch her ass sway while she does.
It hasn’t even been fifteen minutes since Tripp left my driveway, and he’s already texting me. After checking in on the kids, finding them somehow sound asleep, I plop down in my bed and grin down at my phone.
Tripp: You told me to text you. You didn’t say I had to wait at least twenty-four hours to not look like a desperate asshole, so here I am, texting you.
Tripp: By the way, you looked pretty sexy in those polka-dot pajamas.
Me: Wow, Coach. It’s only been, what, fifteen minutes? Little eager to message me, aren’t you?
Tripp: Well, you do remember we’re married, right? So, I figured fifteen minutes was an appropriate amount of time.
I’m surprised with myself when I don’t feel sick over the wordmarried, but … I’m shockingly at ease with it.
Me: I suppose you have a point.
Tripp: I’m still thinking about that kiss, darlin’.
Tripp: You got me all worked up …
My cheeks burn, and I cross my legs, clenching them together to ease the ache. I’m a mom of three. I shouldn’t go down this slippery slope that could turn to sexting. I mean, Lord, I’m too old for this shit. But … even I am worked up after that kiss.
Me: Oh, really?
Tripp: Yep … I just got back to my house, and let’s say, I’m gonna need a cold shower.
My stomach tingles, and between my legs throbs.
Me: I was thinking about taking a shower myself.
Tripp: Does that mean you’re naked, Freya?
