Page 27 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“Wipe that thing off your face,” I said.

“You were thinking about him, weren’t you?” she asked.

“No.”

“You were thinking about that thick cock of his, weren’t you?”

“Emma, shut up.”

“His lips on your neck.”

“I hate you,” I said.

“Is he a talker in bed? Or a silent sort of grunter?”

“Can I get a to-go box, please?” I asked.

“Make that two. I gotta get back to work,” she said.

I hugged Emma’s neck and waved as she hopped into a cab. I had thirty minutes before I needed to go get Clara from school. I got into my car and nibbled on my sandwich as my mind drifted back to last night.

Was it a coincidence that I hadn’t had a nightmare while sleeping next to Carter?

I didn’t know, and something told me I wouldn’t get a chance to test my theory again.

Nine

Carter

It had been a week since my encounter with Natasha and neither of us had spoken about it. Nothing had changed about our routine, but neither of us were bringing up the conversation either. And I knew there needed to be a conversation. The two of us had crossed a professional boundary that wasn’t supposed to be crossed.

Plus, knowing what was underneath her clothes made my mornings very hard.

Every free second I had was spent remembering that night. The way her breath cascaded along my skin and the way her hands gripped mine. Her pussy had been so tight and her body was so receiving of mine. It had been years since I had enjoyed the presence of a woman like that.

And I wanted it to happen again.

Every night I would come home to dinner and we would all sit down to eat. Natasha would recount her day with the kids and I would sit and take it all in. They were doing fantastic and the kids couldn't get enough of her. On the weekends they were always asking if she could come over and play. Or come over and read. Or come over and cook.

I would tell them that was Natasha’s time to rest, but deep down I wanted her to come over, too.

She filled our home with a light that had diminished when my wife had passed. There was a peaceful presence whenever she was around, and I knew the kids missed her when she wasn’t there. But I didn’t know how to proceed. A line had been crossed and I was navigating waters I never had to before. I’d slept with an employee, and now I was craving her.

Tasting her on my tongue in the middle of the night and reaching out for her when she wasn’t there.

“Carter Marshall.”

“When will you ever pick up your cell phone?”

“Hey Mom,” I said with a smile. “You called my cell phone?”

“Three times. Is it on silent again?” she asked.

“It must be. I’m sorry. Been a long week at work.”

“That’s actually why I’m calling. I haven’t had those grandkids of mine in months. I want to see them.”

“You know you can come by anytime,” I said.

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