Page 26 of Justus
“No,she didn’t know. She just told me how important you are to her and that shewanted to know you had someone who loves you when she’s gone.”
Mysobs increase at his words, and he leads me to the bed, sitting beside me andholding me tighter.
“Ican’t tell you everything will be all right, because we both know that’sprobably not true. But I swear I’ll do whatever we need to do. Whatever youwant me to do to keep her happy for the time she has left.”
“Why?Why would you do any of this? You barely know her. You barely know me.”
“Youkeep saying that, Sade, but it isn’t true. We’ve spent plenty of time togetherover the last year. Granted, I spent a lot of it being turned down and tryingto nurse my wounded heart, but…”
Agiggle escapes me and I smack his chest. “Your disappointed cock, you mean.”Peeking up at him, I have to ask. “Why did you really agree to come with me? I knowyou make more in one night at the club than the measly thousand I gave you.”
Hisfingers run soothingly through my hair, and he sighs. “A couple of reasons. Youwere talking about hiring an escort, and I couldn’t stand the thought of youtaking off with some creep or pervert. And I really needed to get away for a while,from the club and my job with In Safe Hands.”
“Iguess chasing pedophiles and online predators gets depressing, huh?”
“Youcould say that. I had infiltrated a group of human traffickers and just when wegot close, they went dark. I lost them. I needed to walk away for a while.”
“Andyou walked right into my drama.”
“Iwant to be here, sweetheart. You shouldn’t be doing this alone.” Sweetheart.I’ve noticed when he’s being serious, he calls me sweetheart instead of sweets.I’m not sure which I like better.
“Ihave to go back to work in a few days and it terrifies me. I’ve offered to takea leave of absence, move back here until…until she doesn’t need me anymore, butMom won’t hear of it.”
Hissoft lips find my forehead. “So, you’ll keep in touch and come back when sheneeds you to.”
“Thankyou. For everything.”
“Nothanks needed. Now that I’ve had one of your blowjobs, I’d marry you in asecond.”
Laughing,I get to my feet. “I’d better wash my face so we can act like a happy couple.”
Momand her friends keep shooting us mushy looks until we decide to go inside andleave them to it. The only one who hasn’t commented is Doug. He approaches usas we’re curled up on the couch, watching a movie.
“Congratulations,”he says, not really looking at us. “Do you have a date in mind?”
“No,it was…unexpected,” I reply.
Witha nod, he heads back down to his basement.
“Somethingtells me he isn’t thrilled,” Justus says. “Do you think maybe he’s suspicious?”
“No,I think he’s probably never been laid and misery loves company.”
Momcomes in after saying goodbye to her friends and pauses in front of us. “I’mjust so happy for you,” she says, tearing up.
“Mom,don’t cry!” God, I’m a terrible person.
Shekisses me on the cheek and heads off to bed.
“I’ma horrible daughter,” I sigh, and Justus pulls me back into his arms.
“No,the circumstances are horrible and you’re doing the best you can.”
“Takeme upstairs and fuck my brains out until I forget.”
I’venever seen a man get to his feet so fast.
ChapterSix
