Page 86 of Second Swing
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Chuck:Now this is something different, a wedding reception that’s all smiles and no drama.
Lou:Yeah, it’s like the happily-ever-after has finally arrived without all the usual explosions.
Chuck:They’re all together, and the vibe’s warm. It’s almost…peaceful.
Lou:Almost. It feels like the calm after a long storm.
Chuck:And sometimes, that calm is the real victory.
“There is absolutely no way I can fit into this dress,” Paloma bellows from our bedroom. “Fuuuuck me,” she groans.
“Your wish is my command, Dove,” I tease. Rising from the couch, I make my way to help her into the dress for her dad’s engagement party.
“You are such an ass.” She giggles. “Help zip me up.”
The dress she has on is deep orange. The satin melts into her supple form, making her skin look like fucking sunshine, and I want to singe my tongue against every bit of her heat. My eyes drink her in as I stand behind her running my fingers up her back while I pull the zipper up.
Her gaze is locked on me, and I lick my lips, dipping my head to kiss up the curve of her spine. I don't let the end of the zipper stopme—I continue and bite softly up the column of her neck, I pull her earlobe between my teeth and lightly suck before releasing it. Pressing myself to the length of her, I relish in how her soft curves feel when she shivers from my touch.
“If we don't get out of this house soon, we won't ever leave, and I'll make a mess of you,” I whisper in her ear as I slide the thin strap of her dress off her shoulder, smoothing my hand around her body to rest at her soft lower belly. I squeeze her pooch I love so much. I want to sink my teeth and dick into her and never leave.Fuck.“We need to go.”
“We could make time. I like being made a mess of.” She gives me a devilish grin as her hand rubs up and down my thigh, warming me fuller, and my dick jumps at the feel.
“Come on, Dove. I promise to ravage you once we make it back home.” Though I have other plans, which I haven’t let on to yet. Surprising her has become my favorite thing to do.
“Whatever you say,Golf Daddy.” I slap her ass as she walks away and groan as her hips sway further from me. She slides on a pair of strappy green heels and I bite at my lip to stop myself from ruining her dress.
We exit our hotel room, and I make sure to slide the concierge our room keys. Having settled our payment earlier, he gives me a nod, and I slide my hand to the small of Paloma’s back.
“Is it weird to be nervous?” she asks me on the short ride to her dad’s engagement party.
“Why are you nervous, Dove?” I question. I know she already has the answer and is really just looking for a sounding board rather than a solution.
“I know they were at our wedding, and it was lovely to meet my dad’s soon-to-be wife, but it still feels like I don’t belong, having beenestranged for so many years.” When the car comes to a stop at a red light, my gaze shifts to her. Her eyes are downcast, staring a hole into the floor, and I tilt her chin up to me.
Gliding my hand over her cheek and through her hair, I grip the back of her neck. She has yet to look at me. “Dove, I need you to look at me.” She takes a few seconds, but when she finally does, there are no tears, but I can see the worry behind her eyes.
“My dad and I have been texting more, but it still feels so raw. So—” She rubs her chest, but no more words come from her.
“And it will be, baby. It will feel raw because wounds take time to heal. Even after a mended bone has healed there are times where it's sore and hurting. Give you and your dad time to heal this twenty-year-wound. I promise you one day the pain will be a distant memory, and your relationship with your father will be as easy as breathing.”
She shakes her head before she responds, “I don’t want to feel like an abandoned child anymore. I don’t want to think of the possibility that one day, he will leave again and then I will be left to pick up the pieces alone.”
“You won’t be alone.” Instinctively, I run my hand down her satin-covered thigh and give it a reassuring squeeze. “I will be right here with you, so will your best friends, and your mom. We aren’t going to let you do this alone. I need to ask you something, and I want you to answer truthfully, based onyour needsand not anyone else's. Okay?”
“I can do that.” Her voice is soft as she replies, her face taking on a more serious look.
“Do you want to turn around? Because we don’t have to go. We can let them know something came up and still send a gift.”
The red light has come and gone a couple times now, but no one elseseems to be on the road, and I’m not moving this car unless I have to. She thinks about my question for a moment before she finally answers, “No. I want to celebrate them. Taking this step means getting closer to mending that broken bone, right?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it does, Dove.” I don’t tell her, but I’m so fucking proud of her. I would have been proud of her even if I was turning this car around instead, because it would’ve meant she was taking care of herself..
We pull into a brick-paved driveway leading up to a beautiful pastel yellow house. There are arches framing the front porch, making it feel both grand and welcoming. The second-story deck draws my eyes up as I take in the large family home.
“I’ve never seen their home,” Paloma says. “It’s beautiful.” I nod my head, handing the keys to the valet. By the time we make it inside to the engagement party, dancing is already underway. The future groom and his lady are on the dance floor enjoying the music. I watch Paloma take in the scene in front of us and breathe a sigh of relief as her face beams with a beautiful smile, one that stretches across her face and crinkles her eyes.
